Female genitalia (FGM) refers to all procedures involving partial or total removal of female external genitals or other damage to female genitalia for non-medical reasons, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
“More than 230 million girls and women today are the survivors of this abominable practice,” said the UN Secretary General António Guterres in his message of the day, describing it as “one of the most brutal manifestations of gender inequality”.
UN Sexual and Reproductive Health Agency (UNFPA), UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and World Health Organization confirmed that FGM has no health benefits with lifelong consequences including serious infections, complications of childbirth, chronic pain and psychological trauma.
“To eradicate this evil violation of human rights is urgent and it is possible,” Mr. Guterres underlined.
Progress and challenges
Since 2008, UNFPA-Unicef Joint Program on eliminating FGM in collaboration with WHO has provided prevention and protection services to almost seven million girls and women.
The initiative has also mobilized 12,000 grassroots organizations and trained 112,000 social and frontline workers. In addition 48 million people have publicly declared their obligation to complete practice.
Despite this effort, the road to elimination remains steep. Only seven of the 31 countries With available data is on the field to meet the target of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS) to end gender control by 2030.
Meanwhile in the Gambia, attempts to abolish the prohibition on genital mutilation of turning years of progress are threatening, which emphasizes the fragility of existing gains.
‘Step up the Tempo’
This year’s theme, Intensive Tempo, serves as an invitation to accelerate global efforts to eliminate gendering and run the harmful gender and social norms that perpetuate it.
“We need to strengthen global movements to breaking down harmful attitudes, beliefs and gender stereotypeS, ”said Mr. Guterres.
An important part of this effort is the pact for the future, adopted by UN Member States last September. This global commitment aims to tackle the discrimination of gender and harmful social norms, ensuring that laws and policies are in line with the effort to end FGM worldwide.
Cost of passivity
Failure to end FGM has serious social, economic and health consequences. As per WHO, Health Complications are treating from genital mutilation Costs the health care systems $ 1.4 billion annually.
Meanwhile, the mental and emotional toll on the survivors can last life and influence their education, employment and generally well -being.
With less than five years left to reach the 2030 goal, the UN calls on stronger alliances, increased investments and sustained advocacy.
“Let’s go together to make female genitalia history And make sure a brighter, healthier and more just future for all women and girls everywhere, ” Mr. Guterres concluded.
