International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation is a United Nations’ sponsored annual awareness day that takes place on February 6 as part of the UN’s efforts to eradicate female genital mutilation. It was first introduced in 2003.
The practice of Female genital mutilation comprises procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.
The practice is mostly carried out by traditional circumcisers who are mostly untrained and unprofessional. FGM is recognized internationally as a violation of the human rights of women. It constitutes an extreme form of discrimination against women. It is nearly always carried out on minors and thus, is a violation of the rights of children. The practice also violates a person’s rights to health, security and physical integrity, the right to be free from torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment and the right to life. WHO strongly condemns such practice.
