The International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation – 06 Feb 2024

2024 Theme: Her Voice. Her Future

The International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is observed annually on February 6th to raise public awareness about the harmful practice and encourage its abandonment. FGM is a form of severe violence that harms women and girls across the globe physically, psychologically, and sexually. Over 200 million survivors have been identified to date. This day serves as a call to action to end FGM and ensure the well-being and protection of all women and girls.

The 2024 theme is “Her Voice. Her Future,” emphasising the importance of giving voice to survivors and victims of FGM. By amplifying their voices, we can work towards a future where FGM is no longer tolerated and where women and girls are empowered to make decisions about their bodies.

The day’s importance lies in raising awareness, supporting survivors, and promoting collaboration among various organisations and stakeholders. Public education campaigns, advocacy and lobbying, training and capacity-building programmes, and capacity-building projects are all essential for raising awareness and working towards a more inclusive and effective fight against FGM.

The UN General Assembly’s Joint Programme has supported survivors for over a decade, prioritising investments in survivor-led initiatives focused on empowerment, agency, and access to essential services. However, there is an urgent need for more targeted, coordinated, and sustained efforts to achieve the goal of ending female genital mutilation by 2030. Survivors’ voices contribute to the global movement to end this harmful practice. Uniting efforts towards a world with zero tolerance for FGM will empower women to make informed decisions about their bodies.