February 6: the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation
08.02.2023
Fabiana Alves Castro
Women’s Rights Researcher,
Global Human Rights Defence.
This Monday, January 6, was marked as the 12th anniversary of the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (“FGM”) (UNICEF, n.d.). The date was established in 2012 by the United Nations General Assembly, in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (UNICEF, n.d.), aiming at amplifying and directing the efforts on the elimination of the practice of FGM (United Nations, n.d.). It also provides the opportunity for Governments, Member States, activists, and other stakeholders involved in ending FGM to celebrate achievements, renew commitments and raise awareness (UNICEF, n.d.; WHO, 2023a).
Female genital mutilation is defined by the WHO as “all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons” (WHO, 2023b). As reported by the Organization, the practice of FGM provides no health benefits for women and girls, and may cause bleeding and problems urinating, infections, complications in childbirth, as well as the risk of newborn deaths (WHO, 2023b). The UN further identifies the possibility of short-term complications, including severe pain, shock, excessive bleeding, as well as long-term consequences, including impacts on mental health (United Nations, n.d.).
As reported by the UN, the practice of FGM has declined over the last 25 years, reducing a girl’s risk of suffering from mutilation by one-third, in comparison to 30 years ago (United Nations, n.d.). In 2008, the UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme on the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation was created, with the intent of accelerating the elimination FGM (United Nations, n.d.). Through the Programme, it is reported that over 6 million girls and women received prevention, protection and care services (UNFPA & UNICEF, 2022).
Nonetheless, despite the efforts to eradicate its practice, FGM remains a relevant issue to this day. For instance, according to the UNFPA, it was estimated that, in 2023, 4.32 million girls are facing the risk of suffering FGM (UNFPA, 2023). As identified by the UN, the issue is primarily concentrated in 30 countries in Africa and the Middle East (United Nations, n.d.). However, it persists in some countries in Asia, Latin America, as well as immigrant populations in Western Europe, North America, Australia, and New Zealand (United Nations, n.d.). For instance, it is estimated that 190,000 girls in 17 European countries are at risk of suffering FGM (European Commission, n.d.).
In 2023, the campaign adopted the theme of “Partnership with Men and Boys to Transform Social and Gender Norms to End Female Genital Mutilation” (UNICEF, n.d.). As such, UNFPA and UNICEF “call on the global community to partner with men and boys and foster their engagement to accelerate the elimination of this harmful practice and uplift the voices of women and girls”, through the implementation of initiatives that have resulted in a surge of male allies (United Nations, n.d.). This partnership with man and boys does not aim at detracting the focus from girls, but ensures a bigger support towards the elimination of FGM (UNICEF, n.d.). In addition, for this year, an event was hosted on February 2 with the Government of Kenya, to celebrate the State’s commitment to eradicating FGM by 2030 (WHO, 2023a).
Sources and further reading:
European Commission. (n.d.). International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation: Commission calls to end this crime, which violates human rights. Retrieved February 8, 2023, from https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/STATEMENT_23_563
UNFPA & UNICEF. (2022, September 26). 2021 Annual Report of FGM Joint Programme. Retrieved February 8, 2023, from https://www.unfpa.org/featured-publication/2021-annual-report-fgm-joint-programme
UNFPA. (2023, January 23). UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme on the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation. Retrieved February 8, 2023, from https://www.unfpa.org/unfpa-unicef-joint-programme-female-genital-mutilation
UNICEF. (n.d.). International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation 2023. Retrieved February 8, 2023, from https://www.unicef.org/documents/international-day-zero-tolerance-female-genital-mutilation-2023
United Nations, General Assembly. (2022, July 25). Intensifying global efforts for the elimination of female genital mutilation: Report of the Secretary-General. Retrieved February 8, 2023, from https://www.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/2022-10/A-77-312-SG-report-FGM-en.pdf
United Nations. (n.d.). International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, 6 February. Retrieved February 8, 2023, from https://www.un.org/en/observances/female-genital-mutilation-day
WHO. (2023a, February 6). The International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). Retrieved February 8, 2023, from https://www.who.int/news-room/events/detail/2023/02/06/default-calendar/international-day-of-zero-tolerance-for-female-genital-mutilation
WHO. (2023b, January 31). Female genital mutilation. Retrieved February 8, 2023, from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/female-genital-mutilation