A/RES/54/133 Page 3 Welcoming also the Ouagadougou Declaration adopted on 6 May 1999 at the Regional Workshop on the Fight against Female Genital Mutilation in the countries members of the West African Economic and Monetary Union,14 Reaffirming that such traditional or customary practices constitute a definite form of violence against women and girls and a serious form of violation of their human rights, Expressing concern at the continuing large-scale existence of these practices, Stressing that the elimination of such practices requires greater efforts and commitment from Governments, the international community and civil society, including non-governmental and community organizations, and that fundamental changes in societal attitudes are required, 1. Welcomes: (a) The report of the Secretary-General,15 which provides encouraging examples of national and international developments; (b) The fact that the Commission on the Status of Women and the Commission on Human Rights addressed the issue of harmful traditional or customary practices at their sessions in 1999; (c) The fact that the General Assembly, at its special session for the review and appraisal of the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development, has addressed the issue of harmful practices; (d) The efforts undertaken by United Nations bodies, programmes and organizations, including the United Nations Children’s Fund, the United Nations Population Fund, the World Health Organization, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the United Nations Development Fund for Women, to address the issue of traditional or customary practices affecting the health of women and girls, and encourages them to continue to coordinate their efforts; (e) The work carried out by the Special Ambassador for the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation of the United Nations Population Fund, including her visits to a number of countries, and the fact that she has been invited to other countries; (f) The work carried out by the Inter-African Committee on Traditional Practices Affecting the Health of Women and Children and other non-governmental and community organizations, including women’s organizations, in raising awareness of the harmful effects of such practices, in particular of female genital mutilation; 14 E/CN.4/Sub.2/1999/14, annex. 15 A/54/341. /...