International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation 2023
The United Nations General Assembly established the “International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)” to bring attention to one of the most severe forms of discrimination against girls and women and a heinous violation of their dignity.
The theme for today’s commemoration of this event, which marks its 12th anniversary, is “Partnership with men and boys to transform social and gender norms to end FGM.”
To accelerate the abolition of this harmful practice and elevate the voices of women and girls, UNFPA and UNICEF have launched a joint program to end female genital mutilation (FGM). The program calls on the international community to collaborate with men and boys to foster their engagement.
It is important to work in partnership with men and boys without taking attention away from women and girls to ensure that families, communities, institutions, and policymakers support and invest in girls to promote the elimination of female genital mutilation.
No matter who we are or where we are, we all must always speak up in support of the rights, dignity, and health of all women and spread the word about the harm that these outdated cultural behaviors inflict.
Chief Barr. (Mrs.) Chioma Uzodimma.
First Lady, Imo State, and Founder, GoodHope Flourish Foundation.
