The International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation is a day set aside by the United Nations day every 6th of February as part of the UN’s efforts to eradicate female genital mutilation. It was first introduced in 2003.
According to UNICEF, It is estimated that at least 200 million girls and women have undergone some form of genital mutilation/cutting, and if the practice continues at recent levels, 68 million girls will be cut between 2015 and 2030 in the 31 countries where FGM is routinely practiced.
The theme for the 2023 International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation is “Partnership with Men and Boys to transform Social and gender Norms to End FGM”. Men and boys are key partners in challenging and changing harmful norms because they are key influencers.
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) can be defined as all procedures involving partial or total removal of the female external genitalia or other injuries to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.
Some common reasons given for FGM/C include that it ensures the following:
- A girl’s or woman’s status
- Marriageability
- Chastity, morality, and fidelity
- Preservation of virginity
- Health and fertility
- Beauty
- Hygiene/cleanliness
- Family honor/social acceptance
- Religiosity
- Male sexual pleasure
- Religious necessity/approval
DOVENET through her Momentum Safe Surgery in Family Planning and Obstetrics (MSSFPO) Project is fully invested in the fight against FGM through community sensitization activities as part of her community-based intervention program against FGM
FGM is a huge risk that reflects deep-rooted inequality between the sexes. It is a major reproductive health issue and a dehumanizing practice.
As part of the activities marking the day, the Executive Director of DOVENET Mrs. Ugo Nnachi leveraged on the International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM to call all families and community members to stop all forms of Female Genital Mutilation in order to end FGM by 2030!
