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International Day Of Zero Tolerance For Female Genital Mutilation is observed in a bid to create awareness about the violation of human rights of girls and women in the face of genital mutilation.
International Day Of Zero Tolerance For Female Genital Mutilation is observed on February 6. (Image: Shutterstock)
The International Day Of Zero Tolerance For Female Genital Mutilation is observed on February 6 every year as designated by the United Nations General Assembly. The significant event, which lies on Thursday this year, is observed in a bid to create awareness about the violation of human rights of girls and women in the face of genital mutilation. Usually carried out on minors, genital mutilation not only violates the rights to health, physical integrity and security, but also inhuman which can often result in death.
What Is Female Genital Mutilation?
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), female genital mutilation (FGM) comprises all the procedures that involve the partial or total removal of external female genitalia or an injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.
While such practices have no benefits for girls and women, they can lead to severe bleeding and problems in urinating and result in cysts, menstrual difficulties, infections, complications in childbirth, and increased risk of newborn deaths.
The latest data suggest that over 230 million girls and women have undergone female genital mutilation across 30 countries in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. It also continues to persist among the immigrant populations living in Western Europe, Australia, North America and New Zealand.
International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation: History
A United Nations-backed annual awareness day, the International Day Of Zero Tolerance For Female Genital Mutilation is observed on February 6 as a part of the organisation’s efforts to eradicate the practice. While it was first introduced in 2003, the United Nations General Assembly came up with a resolution to eliminate FGM from the world and safeguard women’s sexual rights in December 2012.
Additionally, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) jointly with UNICEF has been leading the largest global programme to accelerate the elimination of FGM since 2008.
The joint programme focuses on 17 countries in Africa and the Middle East, equally supporting regional and global initiatives.
International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation 2025: Theme
The theme for this year is Zero Tolerance Day ‘Step up the Pace’, which aims to strengthen alliances and build movements to bring an end to female genital mutilation. It focuses on even more targeted coordinated, sustained and concerted efforts to achieve the common goal.
UN Plans Against FGM
The practice of FGM remains deeply rooted in society, strengthening strong inequality between the sexes and an extreme form of discrimination against girls and women. Despite the alarming situation, the United Nations states that the prevalence has declined globally with now a girl being one-third less likely to undergo FGM than 30 years ago.
It aims to end the practice by 2030 by focusing collective efforts on creating environments where women and girls can exercise their power.
“Their voices and actions can transform deeply rooted social and gender norms, allowing girls and women to realize their rights and potential in terms of health, education, income, and equality,” UN adds
On the other hand, the World Health Organisation has also urged health workers to not perform FGM and developed a global strategy to support the health sector and health workers themselves to end the practice.