International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation

International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation is celebrated annually on February 6^th to promote the elimination of female genital mutilation.

What is female genital mutilation?

Female genital mutilation (FGM) involves the partial or complete removal of a woman's external genitalia or other damage to a female genitalia for no medical reason. It is considered as a violation of the rights of women and girls.

An estimated 200 million women and girls worldwide today have undergone FGM. And 4.6 million girls could be victims of FGM by 2030.

Victims of FGM face short- and long-term health complications such as chronic pain, infections, increased risk of HIV transmission, anxiety and depression, birth complications, infertility, and in-school. The worst case scenario is death.

In 2012, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously passed its first resolution against female genital mutilation, which called for increased international efforts to end it.

In 2015, FGM was included in Sustainable Development Goal 5.3 which calls for the elimination of all harmful practices such as child marriage and female genital mutilation.

Origin of International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation

IPU President Pier Ferdinando Casini, who is also the Speaker of the Italian Chamber of Deputies, stated that "On February 6, the International Day of Zero Toleration for Female Genital mutilation (FGM), we, the representatives of the international parliamentary community - a strongly elected community of 40,000 members of parliament - determined to mobilize our efforts, along with traditional and religious leaders, political bodies governments and NGOs, so that these practices will be eliminated as quickly as possible".

According to statistics from the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), on average, every 15 seconds, a girl or young girl suffers from FGM that causes extreme pain. About 100 to 140 million women and girls have undergone mutilation, organ mutilation or another form of genital mutilation, not only in Africa, but also in some receiving countries. African immigrants.

Lawmakers are aware of the devastating impact of FGM and its harmful and irreversible effects, which can sometimes be fatal. They know that victims of this human rights and child rights abuse suffer physical, psychological and social impacts. At the regional parliamentary conference on violence against women and renunciation of FGM organized by the National Assembly of Senegal, Parliamentary Union, African Parliamentary Union and UNICEF in December, delegates adopted a resolution decided to reiterate their commitment as MPs to stopping this practice.

Giving up on FGM, handed down from generation to generation due to social dynamics that impose other people's views on the family as they make certain choices, is a can and must challenge. Elected representatives are aware of this and have insisted that men and women be informed of any laws relating to FGM. Action to repeal ablation must be taken in consultation with all sectors of civil society, including traditional leaders, parliamentarians and public opinion shapers, as part of broader strategy related to literacy, development, poverty reduction and respect for human rights.

FGM has no basis in religion. Gamal Abou El Sorour, Director of the Center for Islamic Population Studies and Research at the renowned Al-Azhar University and an authoritative source on religion in the Muslim world. There is no mention of female genital mutilation, either explicitly or implicitly, in the Main Source of sharia, the Koran.

For Mélégué Traoré, deputy and former Speaker of the National Assembly of Burkina Faso and respected head of tradition, FGM is a social question that "calls for the intervention of influencers capable of influencing influence at the grassroots level, but also the authority to influence decisions. Therefore, the role of parliamentarians is paramount.

Aminata Mbengue Ndiaye, deputy minister and former Minister of Women of Senegal, added that "many MPs say they are afraid to address these questions with those who sent them to Parliament. But I believe the problem is the problem. This is going to drag on as members of parliament don't take the bull seriously. Discussing this topic with our constituents is an act of courage. Even if it means losing it. Your powers, it's time to speak the language of truth".

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), between 120 and 140 million women are subject to FGM and 3 million girls are at risk each year. FGM involves all procedures involving partial or complete removal of a woman's external genitalia or other damage to the female reproductive organs for non-medical reasons. This behavior is an abuse of human rights and causes serious health complications, including fatal bleeding.

The United Nations officially celebrated the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Removal for the first time on 6 February 2003. The United Nations continues to fight against FGM through a series of activities in addition to compliance.

How to celebrate the day

Various activities and events are held every 6 February to promote the United Nations campaign to raise awareness and educate people about the dangers of female genital mutilation. (FGM). Public conferences and forums are places for FGM survivors to share their personal experiences. Other activities include photo essays and roundtable discussions on policy making and legislation to end FGM.