A/HRC/RES/27/22 Rights Council decision 24/117 of 27 September 2013 entitled “High-level panel on the identification of good practices in combating female genital mutilation”, Reaffirming that female genital mutilation is a form of discrimination, an act of violence against women and girls and a harmful practice that constitutes a serious threat to their health, including their psychological, sexual and reproductive health, which can increase their vulnerability to HIV and may have adverse obstetric and prenatal outcomes as well as fatal consequences for the mother and the newborn, and that the abandonment of this harmful practice can be achieved as a result of a comprehensive movement that involves all public and private stakeholders in society, including girls and boys, women and men, Acknowledging the importance of the work undertaken by the United Nations treaty bodies, particularly the Committee on the Rights of the Child and the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, in addressing the practice of female genital mutilation, Acknowledging also the relevance and importance of regional instruments and mechanisms, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the Optional Protocols thereto and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, in the prevention and elimination of female genital mutilation, Recognizing that efforts at the local, national, regional and international levels have led to a decline in the global prevalence of female genital mutilation, Concerned about the plight of the victims of female genital mutilation and the continuing persistence of the practice, despite these efforts, Noting with profound concern that the medicalization of this practice will undermine the progress made in eliminating female genital mutilation and achieving zero tolerance of the practice, Welcoming the growing global consensus regarding the need to take appropriate measures to eliminate female genital mutilation, and understanding that this practice has no relevant religious or cultural basis, Deeply concerned that the significant gap in resources continues and that the shortfall in funding has severely limited the scope and pace of programmes and activities for the elimination of female genital mutilation, Welcoming the holding during the twenty-sixth session of the Human Rights Council of the high-level panel discussion on the identification of good practices in combating female genital mutilation, and taking note with interest of the summary report thereon, prepared by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights,1 1. Urges States to place special emphasis on education, in particular of youth, parents and community leaders, about the harmful effects of female genital mutilation, and especially to encourage men and boys to become more involved in information and awareness campaigns and become agents of change; 2. Also urges States to work for better dissemination and implementation of their relevant international human rights obligations and commitments, particularly those relating to the rights of women and girls, including by using outreach tools; 1 2 A/HRC/27/36.