Each year on February 6th, the world unites to denounce a harmful practice that violates girls’ and women’s fundamental rights: female genital mutilation (FGM). International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation isn’t just a reminder of the devastating physical and psychological consequences inflicted by this custom, but a powerful call to action.
This day serves as a crucial platform to amplify the voices of survivors, champion the crucial work of activists, and galvanize global collaboration to eradicate FGM from the face of the Earth. Through education, empowerment, and unwavering commitment, we strive to create a future where every girl and woman can live free from this violation, realizing their full potential and enjoying the fundamental right to bodily autonomy.
Ending Female Genital Mutilation
Female genital mutilation (FGM) represents a grave infringement on the human rights of girls and women globally. Acknowledged internationally as a harmful practice, FGM perpetuates deep-seated gender inequality and serves as an extreme form of discrimination. This violation not only compromises the health, security, and physical integrity of individuals but also encroaches upon their right to live free from torture and cruel treatment.
To combat this deeply entrenched issue, comprehensive and coordinated efforts are imperative, emphasizing human rights, gender equality, and community engagement. UNFPA, in collaboration with UNICEF, spearheads the largest global program to expedite the abandonment of FGM, focusing on 17 African countries and supporting regional and global initiatives.
Global Goals: 2016 Theme
Aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the 2016 theme revolves around “Achieving the new Global Goals through the elimination of Female Genital Mutilation by 2030.” These goals, spanning diverse areas, aim to transform the world over the next 15 years, building on the successes of the Millennium Development Goals. UNFPA actively contributes to numerous SDGs, particularly focusing on health, education, and gender equality.
Key Facts on FGM
- Global Prevalence: An estimated 200 million girls and women worldwide have undergone some form of FGM.
- Alarming Trends: If unchecked, an additional 15 million girls aged 15-19 will be subjected to FGM by 2030.
- Young Victims: 44 million girls aged 14 and younger have experienced FGM, with high prevalence in Gambia, Mauritania, and Indonesia.
- Hotspots: Somalia (98%), Guinea (97%), and Djibouti (93%) exhibit the highest prevalence among girls and women aged 15-49.
- Age of Vulnerability: FGM is commonly performed on girls aged infancy to 15, leading to severe health complications and an increased risk of childbirth-related issues.
- Human Rights Violation: Beyond the physical toll, FGM fundamentally violates the human rights of girls and women, necessitating urgent and collective action for its eradication.
In A Nutshell
Finally, the International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation is more than just a symbolic observance; it is a call to action. We can break down the significantly rooted social norms that perpetuate this destructive practice by amplifying survivors’ voices, empowering communities, and investing in education and healthcare.
While the road to a world free of FGM is long and difficult, each step forward, each voice raised, and each act of solidarity brings us closer to realizing a future in which every girl and woman can live free from this violation, empowered to reach their full potential and enjoy the fundamental right to autonomy in their bodies.
Let this day serve as a catalyst for unshakable devotion, pushing us to collaborate to create a society where zero tolerance for FGM is a lived reality, not just a distant fantasy.