International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation 2024

Utkarsh Classes Last Updated 07-02-2025

International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation 2024

Important Day 5 min read

International Day of Zero Tolerance against Female Genital Mutilation is observed every year on 6 February. The main objective of celebrating Female Genital Mutilation Day (FGM) is to give respect to women by completely eliminating female genital mutilation.

Theme of Female Genital Mutilation Day 2024:

The theme of the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation to be observed on 6 February 2024 is ‘Her Voice Her Future’.

About Female Genital Mutilation:

Generally, female genital mutilation is also called female circumcision. In this, the female genitalia are partially or completely cut.
This practice seriously violates women's sexual health and human rights. This practice has a very bad effect on their health and mental condition.
This practice deprives women of sexual pleasure and also isolates them socially.

Where is FGM practised?

This evil practice is prevalent in many countries, especially in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
According to statistics, more than 5,00,000 girls and women in America have had to undergo FGM.
At least 200 million girls and women in 31 countries across three continents suffer from genital mutilation. More than half of these victims live in Egypt, Ethiopia and Indonesia.
According to UNFPA, more than 4 million girls are at risk of undergoing FGM annually. Most girls are at risk of FGM before the age of 15.
Apart from this, the genitals of 60,000 women in Europe were also mutilated. More than 67,000 women are at risk.
50,000 or more women in Australia are facing FGM. More than 70,000 women in Germany and 137,000 women in Britain became victims of this practice.

Importance of FGM Day:

Many evil practices against women have been going on in society for centuries.
FGM harms women's health and sometimes even leads to death due to the pain.
The purpose of organizing this day every year is to make people aware against FGM. It is everyone's responsibility to fight for women's rights and their health security. There is a need to raise voice against this evil practice and make women aware of their rights.

History of FGM Day:

Celebrating this day was started by former Nigerian President Stella Obasanjo.
Stella, the former President of Nigeria, was also the spokesperson for the zero tolerance campaign against female genital mutilation.
Stella herself had announced to celebrate this day for the first time on 6th February in the year 2003.
The United Nations has also accepted this day.

The goal of completely eliminating female genital mutilation:

With the beginning of this day, it has been determined that the practice of female genital mutilation will be eliminated by the year 2030.

UNICEF's campaign in support of FGM:

The United Nations Population Fund and the United Nations Children's Fund launched a joint campaign against female genital mutilation in 2007.
In 2012, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution declaring February 6 as the International Day Against Female Genital Mutilation with zero tolerance against female genital mutilation.