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RESEARCH AND PUBLICATIONS

Changing a Harmful Social Convention: Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting

Author: UNICEF Innocenti Research Centre
No. of pages: 54
Publication date: November 2005
Publisher: UNICEF Innocenti Research Centre
Languages: English | Arabic | French | Italian | Spanish
ISBN: 88-89129-24-7

Every year, three million girls and women are subjected to genital mutilation/cutting, a dangerous and potentially life-threatening procedure that causes unspeakable pain and suffering. Not only is it practiced among communities in Africa and the Middle East, but also in immigrant communities throughout the world. Moreover, recent data reveal that it occurs on a much larger scale than previously thought. It continues to be one of the most persistent, pervasive and silently endured human rights violations. This Innocenti Digest examines the prevalence of FGM/C and its social dynamics. It provides an explanation as to why the practice persists and of the elements necessary for its abandonment. It also takes stock of progress to date, identifies what works and what does not, and provides direction regarding the most successful strategies to promote the abandonment of FGM/C. Combining concrete field experience with tested academic theory, the Digest provides a practical tool to bring about positive change for girls and women.

Factsheet Female Genital Mutilation
Press Release UNICEF to release study on female genital mutilation

Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting: A statistical exploration

Author: UNICEF.
No. of pages: 45
Publication date: November 2005
Publisher: UNICEF
Languages: English - Currently available as a PDF only
ISBN: 92-806-3898-X

This publication analyses available statistics on female genital mutilation/cutting, with the aim of improving understanding of related issues in the wider context of gender equality and social change. The study centres on women aged 15-49 and their daughters, presenting estimates and examining differentials in prevalence, and highlighting patterns within the data that can strategically inform programmatic efforts.

Factsheet Female Genital Mutilation
Press Release UNICEF to release study on female genital mutilation

Investing in the Children of the Islamic World.
(Full Report)

Author: Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) and UNICEF.
No. of pages: 45
Publication date: November 2005
Publisher: UNICEF
Languages: English - Currently available as a PDF only
ISBN: 92-806-3898-X

Are we fulfilling our commitment to children? That is the question asked in Investing in the Children of the Islamic World,a new report of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) and UNICEF. The report reviews the situation of children in 57 Muslim countries, assesses progress in the areas of health, education, child protection and HIV/AIDS, and identifies necessary action. It will serve as a background document for the First Ministerial Conference on the Child, to be held in Rabat from 7-9 November 2005.

Advance Summary Investing in the Children of the Islamic World.
Factsheets: Investing in the Children of the Islamic World (pdf)
Achievements for Children in the Islamic World (pdf)
Islamic World - Child Statistics (pdf file)

Early Marriage: A Harmful Traditional Practice

Author: UNICEF
No. of pages: 40
Publication date: April 2005
Publisher: UNICEF
Languages: English
ISBN: 92-806-3869-6

Child marriage is a violation of human rights, compromising the development of girls and often resulting in early pregnancy and social isolation. Young married girls face onerous domestic burdens, constrained decision-making and reduced life choices. Using data from the Demographic and Household Surveys, this publication estimates the prevalence of child marriage and seeks to identify and understand the factors associated with child marriage and cohabitation. The statistical linkages identified can help programmeers promote delayed marriage and use advocacy and behaviour-change campaigns to prevent child marriage.

(Note title and ISBN before ordering.)

Publication Investing in the Children of the Islamic World. (Full Report)
Publication Investing in the Children of the Islamic World. (Advance Summary)
Factsheets: Investing in the Children of the Islamic World (pdf)
Achievements for Children in the Islamic World (pdf)
Islamic World - Child Statistics (pdf file)

Child Protection: A handbook for Parliamentarians

Author: Inter-Parliamentary Union and UNICEF
No. of pages: 169
Publication date: 2004
Publisher: Inter-Parliamentary Union
Languages: English. AVAILABLE IN PDF FORMAT ONLY.

Adopting and enforcing strong laws protecting children, overseeing government activity, allocating financial resources, raising awareness and providing advocacy are what parliamentarians can do to help alleviate children's suffering. This IPU/UNICEF co-publication, launched at the IPU's 110th International Assembly in April 2004, serves as a catalyst for action, providing examples of parliamentarians' responses to the challenges of child protection and addressing 10 specific protection issues.

Early Marriage, Child Spouses - Innocenti Digest No. 7

Author: UNICEF Innocenti Research Centre
No. of pages: 28
Publication date: March 2001
Publisher: UNICEF Innocenti Research Centre
Languages: English, French, Italian, Spanish
ISBN:

This Digest focuses on early marriage - the marriage of children and young people under the age of 18 - from a human rights perspective. Research into early marriage has tended to concentrate on its impact on reproductive health, school drop-out and rising population figures, and there has been little examination of the practice as a human rights violation in itself. The Digest examines the scale of early marriage, its context, causes and its impact on every aspect of the lives of those affected - particularly young girls - and on wider society. It outlines strategies to help those who have been married at an early age, and for the prevention of early marriage through education, advocacy and alliance-building. The Digest concludes with a call for more rights-based research on an issue that has far-reaching consequences.

(English)