Eradicating Female Genital Mutilation: A Global Commitment
- girlupqueens1
- Feb 27
- 3 min read
Harleen Shergill
On February 6th, the world observed the International Day of Zero Tolerance
for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). This day is about raising awareness
about the harmful practices against women and advocating for its
eradication. Female genital mutilation is a blatant violation of human rights
that affects millions of girls and women worldwide. Although there has been
progress in legislative measures and awareness, the practice still exists in
many cultures.
A brief history of this day begins in 2003. The United Nations first
established the International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM in 2003
following a campaign led by the Inter-African Committee on Traditional
Practices Affecting the Health of Women and Children (IAC). Many have
recognized the severe physical and psychological consequences of FGM, the
UN and other international organizations have put many efforts towards
eliminating it. Under the United Nations Department of Economic and
Social Affairs, goal five is to “achieve gender equality and empower all
women and girls,” making this a global priority (United Nations, 2015).
FGM refers to the procedures that intentionally alter or injure female
genital organs for non-medical reasons. The World Health Organization
(WHO) classifies FGM into four types. These four types of genital mutilation
can range from partial or total removal of the clitoral glans to extreme
forms such as infibulation (the narrowing of the vaginal opening), all of this
for non-medical purposes, simply causing harm to girls and women (WHO,
2022).
The Impact of FGM is lifelong. There are physical health consequences,
psychological and emotional trauma, and deep human rights violation.
Women and girls who undergo FGM suffer from severe pain, infections,
difficulty urinating, menstrual problems and increased risks during
childbirth. Through all the physical trauma the body encounters, survivors
also experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and
depression. FGM is also just a show of the deeply entrenched gender
inequality and the violation for rights to health and bodily autonomy for
women.
The legal measures and global efforts to end FGM, have advanced over the
years. Some of the legal processes in criminalizing FGM and protecting
women and girls from this practice are International Laws and Treaties: The
Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Convention on the Rights of the
Child (CRC) and Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of
Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) both condemn FGM and call for its
abolition (United Nations, 1989 & United Nations, 1979). Regional Bans and
National Laws: Many countries, specifically in Africa and the Middle East
have passed law banning FGM. The enforcement has not completely
succeeded, although FGM has been illegal in countries like Burkina Faso
since 1996 (FGM/C Research Initiative, 2024).
How can we make a change, what good does this article do? Ending FGM
requires a collective action. We can help by educating ourselves and others
about FGM, support organizations through donations or volunteer,
advocating for stronger policies and enforcement and engage with the
affected communities. The fight against FGM is a long ways from being over
but each step we take towards in legal reform and awareness with help
eradicate it.
References:
United Nations. (n.d.). Sustainable Development Goal 5: Achieve
gender equality and empower all women and girls. Retrieved from
World Health Organization. (n.d.). Female genital mutilation.
Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/female-
genital-mutilation
UNICEF. (n.d.). Convention on the Rights of the Child. Retrieved from
OHCHR. (n.d.). Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). Retrieved from
elimination-all-forms-discrimination-against-women
Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting Research Initiative (FGMCRI). (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.fgmcri.org/
Comments