International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation

Quick Facts - ZA

HashtagsCompiled on#FGMZeroToleranceDay2021
2024 Date6 February 2024
2025 Date6 February 2025

2024 Holidays & Dates

South Africa & Common Holidays
Misc. & Int'l. Observances
Christian Holidays
Jewish Holidays
Muslim Holidays

International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation

International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a global observance aimed at raising awareness and advocating for the cessation of this harmful practice, affecting women and girls worldwide. The day provides an avenue to educate people about the dangers of female genital mutilation, highlighting its immediate and long-term physical, psychological, and socio-economic impacts. Significant strides are taken globally to ensure this practice is eradicated, detailing how FGM violates human rights, specifically the rights of women and girls.

In South Africa, although the practice isn't widespread, there is evidence of its occurrence within certain cultural and religious groups. The commemoration of International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation in South Africa seeks to address this issue by amplifying awareness and discourse about the harmful consequences of this practice. This remembrance has roots in a resolution by the UN General Assembly in 2007 that called for a global effort to eliminate female genital mutilation. In response, South Africa, along with all African Union countries, signed the 'Saleema Initiative' in 2008 to protect girls from this harmful tradition.

On the International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation, typically observed on 6th February, South Africa rallies together with other nations to stand against this practice. Various activities including educational workshops, public discussions, and awareness campaigns are held. These events are often spearheaded by various human rights and health organizations, stressing the importance of enforcing existing laws against FGM, advocating for stricter penalties against violators and calling on community elders and religious leaders to renounce the practice.

Facts about this United Nations observance

  • The theme for International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation in 2022 was Accelerating Investment to End FGM.
  • According to the UNICEF, in 2022, there were about 200 million women across 31 countries that have undergone female genital mutilation.
  • According to the U.N, girls who undergo female genital mutilation can face short-term complications such as severe pain, shock, excessive bleeding, and infection. They may also face long-term complications regarding their sexual and reproductive health.
  • FGM can lead to severe health complications and psychological consequences. Immediate risks include pain, infection, hemorrhage, and shock. Long-term risks can include chronic pain, urinary issues, fertility problems, increased risk of obstetric complications, and psychological trauma.
  • Despite being legally prohibited, FGM is still practiced in some regions of South Africa, where it is often viewed as a rite of passage for girls entering womanhood.

Top things to do in South Africa for this observance

  • Traditional values and practices can be harmful especially if those practices carry unnecessary risk. It is believed that older generations are more likely to carry on such traditions despite scientific evidence against them. According to the U.N, adolescent girls aged 15-19 are less supportive of female genital mutilation than women aged 45-49. The U.N recommends investing in youth-led movements to help achieve gender equality and to eliminate violence against women and girls. Learn how you can become involved in their latest campaign Generation Equality.
  • Learn more about the health risks of female genital mutilation and how you can help prevent the practice of it.

References and related sites

UN: International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation
data.unicef.org: UNICEF Female Genital Mutilation

Copyright 2002-2023 © Sapro Systems LLC • About • Privacy Policy • License Terms • Corrections & Suggestions •

spacer