International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation is an international awareness day that attempts to tackle a worldwide problem head-on and eliminate female genital mutilation by 2030. Female Genital Mutilation, also known as FGM, involves injuring or altering female genitalia for non-medical reasons and is recognized worldwide as a violation of the integrity of women and girls, as well as a violation of their human rights to health. Everyone is encouraged to observe this awareness day on February 6th and help eradicate FGM in all its forms around the world.

The History of International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation

In 2008, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) partnered with UNICEF and still leads the largest global program to accelerate the end of FGM in the world. This joint program focuses on 17 countries in the Middle East and Africa and provides regional and global support to initiatives aimed at curbing FGM. This partnership has made significant gains and met specific milestones in the elimination of FGM. For example, almost 3 million people have participated in public declarations of FGM elimination.

International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation was established in 2012 by the United Nations General Assembly when they proclaimed February 6th as an international awareness day. The goal of this day is simple: it seeks to eliminate this practice by raising public awareness of it and by amplifying efforts to end it. Although the practice of genital mutilation has been around for thousands of years, the United Nations believes that the practice can be eliminated in a single generation. That’s why the UN has established 2030 as its goal for the full eradication of FGM.

Facts About Female Genital Mutilation

Below are some horrifying facts about FGM and how they affect the girls and women involved. Hopefully, one day this barbaric practice can be fully eliminated all over the world, but until then, we all have to take measures to raise awareness about it.

• It’s been estimated that over 200 million girls and women have undergone female genital mutilation in some form around the world.
• Female Genital Mutilation is a violation of the human rights of the girls and women involved.
• If current trends continue, another 15-20 million girls between the ages of 15-19 will be subjected to FGM by 2030.
• Female Genital Mutilation is mainly carried out on young girls between the ages of infancy and 15 years old.
• Countries that have the highest incidence of FGM among women aged 15-49 include Guinea, Somalia, and Djibouti.
• FGM can cause severe health issues for girls and women, including infections, infertility, cysts, and childbirth complications.

Observing International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation

Since this is not a public holiday but instead an international observation or awareness day, no businesses or government agencies are closed on this day. This day is observed by social activism agencies and the United Nations to end female genital mutilation by 2030. Since its creation in 2012, this awareness day has raised awareness about the problem of FGM all over the globe.