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International day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

Activism Events

05.02.2020

TW: Trauma, sexual violence & graphic descriptions.

05.02.2020

Dark blue banner with colourful words saying

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is "a procedure performed on a woman or girl to alter or injure her genitalia for non-medical reasons. It most often involves the partial or total removal of her external genitalia." It is a violation of women and girl’s human rights.

FGM happens on every continent in the world, except Antarctica. It poses an immediate risk to women and girl’s health and leads short and long-term complications. For example, it can result in bleeding, chronic pain, infertility, HIV infection, cysts, post-traumatic disorders and even death. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that more than 200 million girls and women in over 30 countries have undergone procedures of FGM. Unless we increase efforts to end FGM now, UNICEF predicts another 68 million girls will have undergone the procedure by 2030.

# "Cutting, is a violation of children’s rights: the right to physical integrity, the right to good health and the freedom to make your own choices. It even violates a child’s right to be educated. If the wound becomes infected because the cutter uses an unsterilised knife, for example, the girl will fall ill and be unable to attend school.”
-Djaminatou, a village educator trained by Plan International.

What does the practice of FGM entail?

FGM is usually undertaken without anaesthesia in unhygienic conditions with razors or scissors, where the practitioner removes part or all of the female genitals. This practice can take place at any point in a girl’s life, from days after birth to well into puberty.

There are four distinct types of FGM:

  • Type 1: The partial or total removal of the clitoris and clitoral hood.
  • Type 2: The partial or total removal of the inner labia. This is sometimes undertaken whilst also removing the clitoris or outer labia.
  • Type 3: The partial or total removal of external genitalia (from the inner and outer labia to the clitoris), which is then sewn together, leaving a single, small hole for urination & menstruation. Later in life, this scar tissue will then need to be cut open for intercourse or to give birth, which is often not possible after such trauma.
  • Type 4: Any harm done to the female genitalia including pricking, piercing, incising, scraping, cauterisation and labia ‘stretching’.

Of all FGM cases, around 80% involve Type 1 & 2; 15% Type 3 and 5% Type 4. ALL forms of FGM are harmful and all are a violation of human rights.

Why is it practised?

FGM may be practised for a number of different reasons that vary between affected communities. It is a deeply entrenched social norm that is rooted in gender inequality. According to UNICEF, "in some cases, it is seen as a rite of passage into womanhood, while others see it as a way to suppress a woman’s sexuality. Many communities practice genital mutilation in the belief that it will ensure a girl's proper upbringing, future marriage or family honour."

How can we end FGM?

Ending FGM requires coordinated efforts at every level - international, national, regional and local. UNFPA, UNICEF and Plan International have all put together resources suggesting multiple actions to end FGM. We’ve included some of these actions below. This list is not exhaustive by any means so take a look at their links above to find out more information.

It requires human-based educated programs and action from affected communities including families, as well as political and systemic support, and better protection and support services for women and girls. Working with affected communities to change social norms and educate communities about FGM. Research has shown that, in many affected communities, many oppose the practice but avoid voicing these beliefs for fear of being stigmatised within their communities.

1. Educate and empower communities and challenge social norms.
Design and implement community-led, human-rights based, education and empowerment programmes and campaigns, so affected communities can learn about the risks and realities of FGM, as well as the social norms and gender inequality at the root of the practice. Research has shown that, in many affected communities, many oppose the practice but avoid voicing these beliefs for fear of being stigmatised within their communities. Furthermore, as FGM becomes less accepted, when it is performed, it is more likely to be performed in secret. All individuals, families, governments and local organisations of affected communities must be considered and no one should be left behind. A key part of ending FGM is education and empowerment.

2. Implement laws and policies to end FGM.
Implement legislation that take a zero-tolerance approach to FGM recognising that laws alone cannot change social norms. Legislation must be coupled with education and empowerment programmes and campaigns aimed at changing attitudes and norms on all levels of society.

“Changing cultural norms and beliefs needs to come from within the community. People concerned with an issue such as female genital mutilation and cutting and convinced that it is wrong can form a powerful force for change…It is all about how to plant the conviction in people that change is necessary—a law by itself cannot do that.” Igbal Mohamed Abbas, 17 Ways to End FGM, UNFPA

3. Increase funding locally and nationally for initiatives working to end FGM.
If efforts to end FGM are not scaled up, millions more women and girls will be affected. Increased funding must be directed to efforts to end FGM in order to ensure sustainability and impact. Violence against women and girls, including FGM, can be prevented.

4. Build capacity in the service sector
Health workers, social workers, midwives, teachers, medical students and others working in support services should be trained to adequately support survivors of FGM and promote sexual and reproductive health, supported by community-led programmes and campaigns. Response services should be human-centred and focus on the needs of survivors.

5. Talk openly and honestly about the issue

“If we tiptoe around the issue, nothing happens. We need to educate women about their human rights. We need to call FGM what it is – the worst form of violence against girls and women – rather than let it hide under a cultural banner. It is child abuse, and we need it named as such because language is the most powerful way to fight it.” Leyla Hussein via WHO.

How can you help?

  • You can donate to organisations working to end FGM like UNFPA, UNICEF, the W4’s field project, Plan International, IPPF or End FGM European Network. Click on each organisation to find out more about how they are working to end FGM.
  • Educate yourself - learn what FGM is, the dangers it poses to girls and women all over the world and read and listen to the stories of survivors. The Guardian has a media campaign to end FGM where they share a range of educational videos and stories on FGM.
  • Listen to, respect and believe survivors.
  • Language matters. Learn how to talk about FGM and discover the myths versus facts with this online booklet put together by End FGM European Network.
  • Recognise FGM as rooted in gender inequality and work to advance gender equality all over the world. Acknowledge privilege, adopt an intersectional lens and work to change and challenge the gender and social norms that are a cause, and driver of, gender inequality.