INTERNATIONAL DAY OF ZERO TOLERANCE FOR FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION 2021
As a child who went through the pains of having your genitals being cut all in the name
of culture, the wailings and physical tortures can only be better imagined in the young
and innocent brain of the child.
Imagine the physical, mental and psychological pain a matured female feels watching her
genitals and pride being tampered with and yet have no say. Female Genital Mutilation is
unhealthy irrespective of what any culture says and should End.
According to World Health Organization Female genital mutilation (FGM) comprises all
procedures that involve altering or injuring the female genitalia for non-medical reasons.
This act is recognized internationally as a violation of the human rights, the health and
the integrity of girls and women.
Research has shown that girls who undergo female genital mutilation face short-term
complications such as severe pain, shock, excessive bleeding, infections, and difficulty
in passing urine, as well as long-term consequences for their sexual and reproductive
health and mental health.
Josep Borrell Fontelles in his statement said “No woman or girl should suffer from
violence. Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a severe violation of human rights and an
act of violence against women and girls. According to him, COVID-19 has disrupted
prevention programmes, seriously undermining progress towards reducing this heinous
practice. Any backward step puts thousands of women and girls at risk.
FGM cannot be justified as a cultural or traditional practice – it is a crime and a
violation of human rights. Many people and communities are abandoning FGM. Change is
possible, and it is happening.
Different reasons gave birth to the practice of FGM on young girls between infancy and
the age of 15 including adults. These reasons include Religious, Cultural and social
reasons.
The UN General Assembly in 2012 designated February 6th as the International Day of
Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, with the aim to amplify and direct the
efforts on the elimination of this practice.
The theme for this year is "No Time for Global Inaction, Unite, Fund, and Act to End
Female Genital Mutilation"
Female genital mutilation is a universal problem and is also practiced in some
countries including Nigeria. Just like a few other countries, FGM in Nigeria is
becoming a thing of the past and just as UN secretary -General Antonio Guterres
said by 2030 FGM can be eliminated finally. Goldcoast Foundation on this day joins
the world to commemorates the International Day of Zero Tolerance For Female Genital
Mutilation.