Press Release

The United Nations General Assembly designated the 6th of February annually as the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). FGM is a non-medical procedure often performed on young females and has a range of medical consequences.

FGM is a form of gender-based violence rooted in complex social norms within patriarchal, Muslim, and some Asian and Latin American communities under the inaccurate assumption that a woman may stray from her marriage and bring shame to her family and community should she seek sexual pleasure outside of her marriage. This practice constitutes extreme discrimination which perpetuates gender inequality. It is a torturous and cruel Human Rights violation that unnecessarily violates an individual’s body, autonomy, and dignity.

The International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM is observed to provide the opportunity for governments, organizations, member states, and activists to raise awareness about this unacceptable, inhumane and harmful practice that violates the basic Human Rights of women and girls.

ICHRRF exhorts communities to abandoned this practice and stands with the UN Secretary-General’s message today to encourage men and boys—brothers, fathers, health workers, teachers and leaders to be powerful voices and allies in advocating to end this abhorrent practice.

ICHRRF observes the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation and expresses solidarity with the victims of this horrendous practice. ICHRRF takes a firm and consistent position on the issue of FGM and deplores the practice as inhuman and barbaric violation of rights of young girls and women.