Celebrate International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM/C

International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) is an international awareness day sponsored by the United Nations (UN), that takes place each year. It is an effort to make the world aware of the practice, educate people about the dangers of FGM/C, and to promote its eradication.

On 6 February Protected content , Stella Obasanjo, the First Lady of Nigeria, made the official declaration on “Zero Tolerance to FGM” in Africa during a conference organized by the Inter-African Committee on Traditional Practices Affecting the Health of Women and Children (IAC). Then the UN Sub-Commission on Human Rights adopted this day as an international awareness day.

At least Protected content girls and women alive today living in 31 countries have undergone FGM/C and 3 million girls are at risk each year, according to the WHO. FGM/C relates to all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. This practice is an abuse of human rights and causes serious short-term complications, as well as long-term consequences.

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Please watch the following three short videos BEFORE the event, then bring your insights and questions and join the conversation.
"The girl who said no to FGM" Protected content .
"Dropping the Knife" Protected content .
"Leyla Hussein - The Cruel Cut" Protected content .