New York/Geneva: Female genital mutilation constitutes a serious infringement of human rights, resulting in profound and enduring physical, emotional, and psychological trauma for girls and women. Currently, over 230 million individuals are affected by this detrimental practice. If immediate measures are not implemented, it is projected that an additional 27 million girls may suffer this violation of their rights and dignity by the year 2030.
Of the 31 countries in which data on prevalence are collected nationally, only seven countries are on track to meet the Sustainable Development Goal of ending female genital mutilation by or before 2030. The current rate of progress must accelerate urgently to meet this target.
This requires strengthened alliances among leaders, grassroots organizations and across sectors spanning health, education and social protection – as well as sustained advocacy and expanded social movements with girls and survivors at the centre.
Today marks the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, and in response to the theme “Stepping up the pace: Strengthening alliances and building movements to end female genital mutilation,” the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the World Health Organization (WHO) have once again pledged to work collaboratively with nations and communities to put an end to this harmful practice for good.
“There is hope,” UNFPA Executive Director Dr Natalia Kanem, UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell and WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said in a joint statement, today. “Many countries have seen a decline in the prevalence of female genital mutilation. We are witnessing progress in countries like Kenya and Uganda, where collaborative action and community-led initiatives are proving that by strengthening alliances and building movements, we can accelerate change,” they explained.
Since the launch of the UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme to eliminate Female Genital Mutilation in 2008, in partnership with WHO, nearly 7 million girls and women have accessed essential prevention and protection services. Additionally, 48 million individuals have made public commitments to discontinue the practice, and 220 million people have been reached through mass media campaigns addressing this issue. In the last two years, around 12,000 grassroots organizations and 112,000 community and frontline workers have come together to promote change during this crucial period.
Yet the fragility of progress made has also become starkly evident. In the Gambia, for example, attempts to repeal the ban on female genital mutilation persist, even after an initial proposal to do so was rejected by its parliament last year. Such efforts could gravely undermine the rights, health and dignity of future generations of girls and women, jeopardizing the tireless work over decades to change attitudes and mobilize communities.
It demands greater accountability at all levels to ensure commitments to human rights are upheld and policies and strategies are implemented to protect girls at risk and provide care, including justice, for survivors. It also requires increased investment in scaling up proven interventions. We are indebted to generous donors and partners who are supporting this life-changing work and call on others to join them.
“We all have a role to play to ensure that every girl is protected and can live free from harm. Let’s step up the pace and act with urgency. The time to end female genital mutilation is now,” the joint statement said.
– global bihari bureau
