As the world celebrates International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), Citizens Centre for Integrated Development and Social Rights (CCIDESOR) has called for collective effort to ending the indiscriminate and unhealthy practice, especially that the Theme is: Unleashing Youth Power..
That is why, according to United Nations, this year’s International Day focuses on mobilizing youth around the eliminations of harmful practices, including female genital mutilation under the theme: “Unleashing Youth Power: One decade of accelerating actions for zero female genital mutilation.” FGM comprises all procedures that involve altering or injuring the female genitalia for non-medical reasons and is recognized internationally as a violation of the human rights, the health and the integrity of girls and women.
CCIDESOR is joining the world in condemning the act because in line with its vision of a free and fair society where citizens have unhindered access to basic human needs and safe environment, ending the unhealthy practice supports our collective vision.
It would be recalled that girls who undergo female genital mutilation face short-term complications such as severe pain, shock, excessive bleeding, infections, and difficulty in passing urine, as well as long-term consequences for their sexual and reproductive health and mental health.
In 2012, the UN General Assembly designated February 6th as the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, with the aim to amplify and direct the efforts on the elimination of this practice.
To promote the elimination of female genital mutilation, coordinated and systematic efforts are needed, and they must engage whole communities and focus on human rights, gender equality, sexual education and attention to the needs of women and girls who suffer from its consequences.
Ending female genital mutilation in one decade will require support from every quarter. With significant population growth, especially among youth, investing in young people becomes indispensable if it must end 2030 in line SDG 5.
