This year, the UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme on the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation: Delivering the Global Promise launched the International Day of Zero Tolerance for female genital Mutilation 2022 theme; “Accelerating Investment to End Female Genital Mutilation.” Many countries are experiencing a “crisis within a crisis” due to the pandemic including an increase in female genital mutilation. That is why the United Nations calls on the global community to reimagine a world that enables girls and women to have voice, choice, and control over their own lives.
Statement by U.N. Secretary-General on International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation 2022.
Female genital mutilation is an abhorrent human rights violation that causes profound and permanent harm to women and girls around the world.
Every year, over 4 million girls are at risk of this extreme form of violence. Sadly, the COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on health services and put even more girls in jeopardy.
This flagrant manifestation of gender inequality must be stopped. With urgent investments and timely action, we can meet the Sustainable Development Goals target of eliminating female genital mutilation by 2030 and build a world that respects women’s integrity and autonomy.
The United Nations and partners are supporting initiatives to shift the social norms that perpetuate this practice. Young people and civil society are making their voices heard. And lawmakers are advancing positive change in many countries.
On the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, join us in calling to accelerate investment to end female genital mutilation and uphold the human rights of all women and girls.
U.N. Secretary-General
FORUM: Be part of the online conversation and participate on social media. Share with the world how you #InvestDontRest!
Over 200 million girls and women alive today have experienced FGM. In 2021, an estimated 4.2 million girls are at risk of being cut. In 25 countries where FGM is routinely practiced and data are available, an estimated 68 million girls will be cut between 2015 and 2030 unless concerted and accelerated action is taken. Due to COVID-19 related programme disruptions, UNFPA estimated that 2 million more cases of FGM that could have otherwise been averted will occur over the next decade.
The time to act is now.
WEBINARS
Accelerating investment to end female genital mutilation.
We must take action to protect women and girl from FGM. Let’s discuss
Sunday 6th February, 2022. From 4pm to 5pm GMT.
CAMPAIGN : Invest don’t Rest.
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.
OTHER STATEMENTS
The U.S. honors International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation and calls on the global community to come together and do more. We firmly believe that even one occurrence of this egregious human rights abuse is too many. #Act2EndFGM
STORIES
International Day for Zero tolerance on Female Genital Mutilation 
