International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation is observed on 6 February

International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is observed on 6 February. The day is observed to end the practice of FGM. It creates awareness about FGM which is a violation of the human rights of girls and women.

On this day, a campaign titled 'A Piece of Me' is organized by the UNFPA to celebrate three survivors of female genital mutilation (FGM) to raise awareness to end FGM.

Theme:

The theme for the International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM for the year 2020 is "Unleashing Youth Power: One decade of accelerating actions for zero female genital mutilation". The theme focuses on mobilizing youth around the eliminations of harmful practices including FGM.

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM):

FGM is the practice of partial or total removal of external female genitalia or other injuries to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. It is mostly carried out on girls between infancy and 15 years age 15. It causes problems including severe bleeding, urinating problems, cysts, infections, and other complications in childbirth and increased risk of newborn deaths. The practice is performed mainly in North-Eastern, Eastern and Western parts of Africa.

History:

In 2007, a Joint Programme on Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting was initiated by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). In 2012, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) passed a resolution and designated 6 February as the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation. UNGA aimed to amplify and direct the efforts on the elimination of this practice.