International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation 2023: Every year on February 6, there is a global day of action to end female genital mutilation. The International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation was established by the U.N. General Assembly to bring attention to this humanitarian crisis.
Millions of girls are at risk of female genital mutilation, a human rights violation rooted in gender inequalities, power imbalances and the social norms that uphold them.
— United Nations (@UN) February 6, 2024
On Tuesday's #EndFGM Day, see how @UNFPA works to tackle this harmful practice: https://t.co/6SIPCqeFgF pic.twitter.com/u4yfVV9HQP
What is Female Genital Mutilation?
FGM, also referred to as female genital cutting, female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), and female circumcision, is the practice of ritually severing or removing all or part of a woman's external female genitalia. The devastating effects of FGM, which affects 200 million women worldwide, include severe pain, difficult childbirth, and even death.
Female genital mutilation can affect women's and girls' sexual and reproductive health. Genital mutilation exposes women to postpartum haemorrhage risk, fetal death risk, labour obstruction risk, and HIV infection risk.
It has pernicious and enduring psychological effects. Children's behaviour problems, crippling anxiety, stress, and sexual dysfunction can all be caused by residual trauma.
International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation: History
February 6 was designated as the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012. The day aims to raise awareness and step up efforts to put an end to the practice all over the world. Female genital mutilation may come to an end within a single generation, according to numerous compelling arguments.
The fear of social stigma is among the main motivating factors behind this violent behaviour. Female genital mutilation is tolerated by social norms that are layered and complex across geographical boundaries, making it difficult for individuals and change agents to address the issue on a global scale.
International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation: Significance
- This practice violates girls' and women's bodies as well as their right to health and security, so the day raises awareness of women who are fighting for the fundamental right to control what happens to their bodies.
- The day recognizes the suffering of girls who have experienced unspeakable physical and emotional abuse as a result of FGM.
- The U.N. thinks that these cycles can be broken in a single lifetime with a concerted international effort. Zero tolerance for female genital mutilation aims to put an end to the ongoing suffering and harm brought on by the practice.
How to observe International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation?
- Educate people about the difficulties women and girls worldwide face in achieving their human rights. For a wider audience, spread the word on various social media websites.
- Help the agencies, nonprofits, and professionals in the field by providing assistance. If you can, give money or tell others about their initiatives.
- Constructive discussion is required to promote change when it comes to generational social and cultural conditioning regarding women's bodies.
The day for zero tolerance of FGM is being observed not only for medical reasons but also as a way to denounce the threat of indirect misogyny to women. Every year on February 6, FGM is still observed, and the UN and other social activism groups will continue to make great efforts to end FGM by the year 2030.
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