Female Genital Mutilation As a Form of Gender-Based Persecution

These remarks were prepared by Judith Ramirez, Co-Chair of the Immigrant and Refugee Board (IRB) Working Group on Women Refugee Claimants, for a panel discussion in Toronto on September 29, 1994, entitled “Rites vs Rights: Female Genital Mutilation.” Ramirez speaks about female genital mutilation as a form of gender-based persecution, referencing international law and the IRB Guidelines on Women Refugee Claimants Fearing Gender-Related Persecution.