International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation
"Her voice rises, breaking the silence,
With strength and courage, she defies violence.
Hand in hand, we stand as one,
To end FGM—our fight is not done."
On February 6th each year, the world comes together to observe the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), shining a spotlight on an important issue.
Female genital mutilation, a deeply concerning practice, involves altering or harming the female genitalia for non-medical reasons. It is recognised universally as a FGM human rights violation. According to UNICEF, an estimated 230 million girls worldwide have undergone FGM, with over 4.6 million at risk in 2025 alone.
While progress is being made in many countries, the challenge persists. With high population growth in many regions, there is an urgent need to accelerate the global fight against FGM to end this harmful practice. The objective of this blog is to raise awareness about this harmful practice and serve as a reminder of our collective responsibility to protect the rights and dignity of girls and women everywhere, ensuring they live free from harm and discrimination.
FGM Day Theme 2025
UNFPA and UNICEF are working together to stop Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). They lead a big global plan focusing on 17 countries. This plan will also help regional and worldwide efforts.
In 2012, the UN General Assembly made February 6th an International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, saying "No" to FGM. This day aims to raise awareness and focus attention on stopping this harmful practice, which has a profound impact on women’s health. By highlighting the physical, emotional, and psychological consequences of FGM, the UN encourages global action to protect women and girls from its devastating effects.
This year, the International Day of Zero Tolerance to female genital mutilation has a special theme: "Stepping Up the Pace: Strengthening Alliances and Building Movements to End FGM". It Is about supporting groups led by survivors to stop FGM.
In India, there is currently no law specifically banning Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C). However, a petition was filed in 2017 seeking a complete ban on the practice, which remains pending in the Supreme Court. Internationally, FGM/C violates multiple human rights conventions, including the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which India has ratified, obligating the state to take action against such harmful practices.
What is female genital mutilation?
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) refers to the harmful practice of intentionally altering or injuring a girl's genitalia for non-medical reasons. It is often carried out using sharp instruments in unsafe conditions, usually targeting girls between infancy and the age of 15. This practice is sometimes referred to as female circumcision or cutting. Key points about FGM:
- Unsafe Procedures: FGM is typically performed with knives or other sharp tools, often in unsanitary conditions.
- Global Prevalence: Over 200 million girls and women worldwide have undergone FGM, and each year, more than 3 million girls are at risk.
- Regions Affected: FGM is most common in parts of Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, as well as among migrant communities from these areas.
- Legal Status: Many countries have laws banning FGM, but the practice still persists in certain communities.
- Human Rights Violation: FGM is widely considered a violation of the rights of girls and women, and efforts are ongoing globally to eliminate it.
Even if performed by medical professionals, FGM is not deemed safer and remains a serious violation of human rights.
Why is Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) practiced?
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is typically performed on girls at a young age, sometimes even on infants or teenagers, and in some cases, it is done on adult women as well. The reasons for this practice vary by region, with some communities viewing it as a necessary step for a girl to transition into adulthood and become eligible for marriage.
In many societies, FGM is considered a social obligation, with individuals feeling immense pressure to conform to societal expectations, fearing rejection if they do not comply. Additionally, there is a widespread belief that FGM is tied to notions of sexual propriety.
Even in countries where FGM is not traditionally practised, such as certain parts of Europe, the issue persists. Globalisation and immigration have contributed to an increasing number of girls and women being at risk each year.
Harsh Reality of FGM: The Statistics of Female Genital Mutilation
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) remains a grave violation of human rights across the globe, with societies practising it through the ages. Here are statistics on Female Genital Mutilation from UNICEF:
Details | Figures |
| Girls at risk in 2025 | 4.6 million girls |
| The daily increase in at-risk girls | 12,000 girls per day |
| Girls at risk from 2015 to 2030 (UNFPA) | 68 million girls |
| Girls at risk in Europe annually | 180,000 women and girls |
| Additional risk due to COVID-19 | 2 million more girls at risk |
Protecting these vulnerable girls demands an urgent and concerted effort to accelerate the elimination of this harmful and often deadly practice.
What are the types of FGM?
The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies this procedure into four types.
Types | Description |
Type I (Clitoridectomy) | Partial or complete removal of the clitoris, which is a small, sensitive, erectile region of the female genitals. In some rare cases, only the prepuce (the fold of skin around the clitoris) may be removed. |
Type II (Excision) | Partial or complete removal of both the clitoris and the labia minora (inner folds of the vulva). It may also involve the removal of the labia majora (outer folds), with or without excising the labia minora. |
Type III (Infibulation) | The vaginal entrance is narrowed by forming a covering seal. This is done by cutting and repositioning the labia minora or majora, sometimes with stitching. In some cases, the clitoris may also be removed. |
Type IV | Includes any additional harmful non-medical treatments, such as piercing, incising, or pricking of the female genitalia, that are not categorised under Types I, II, or III. |
What are the side effects of FGM?
1. Short-Term Consequences:
FGM in the short term may lead to severe complications such as:
- Experience immediate pain, excessive bleeding, and swelling.
- Face risks of infection, urinary and vaginal issues, and menstrual complications.
- Encounter sexual and psychological challenges.
- Struggle with pregnancy and childbirth difficulties.
2. Long-Term Consequences:
Long-term consequences include:
- Urinary problems (painful urination, urinary tract infections),
- Vaginal problems (discharge, itching, bacterial vaginosis, and other infections),
- Menstrual issues (e.g., painful menstruations, difficulty in passing menstrual blood),
- Keloid formation on the scar tissue,
- Sexual issues (e.g., pain during intercourse, decreased satisfaction),
- Increased risk of childbirth complications (e.g., perineal tear, difficult or prolonged labour, Increased rate of cesarean section and postpartum haemorrhage, increased need for newborn resuscitation),
- In rare cases, newborn babies may die.
FAQS
1. Is there a link between female genital mutilation and the risk of HIV infection?
There isn't a clear, direct association between FGM and HIV. However, sharing instruments during the procedure or experiencing laceration of scar tissue during intercourse may increase HIV risk.
2. What are the psychological effects of female genital mutilation?
FGM can lead to psychological issues like post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, and physical complaints without organic cause.
3. Which types of FGM are most common?
Types I and II are globally the most common, with Type III (infibulation) being practised by about 10% of affected women, primarily in Somalia, Sudan, and Djibouti.
4. Where does the practice of FGM come from?
The origins are unclear, but it has been practised across ages and continents. Historically, various cultures, including early Romans, Arabs, and African tribes, practised forms of female circumcision.
5. Is FGM practised in India?
FGM is documented in 92 countries worldwide. It's most common in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and even in countries like Australia, the United States, and parts of Europe. Shockingly, in India, FGM is practised among the Bohra community in Mumbai.
6. Who performs FGM?
Typically, elderly community members, often women or traditional birth attendants, carry out FGM. In some cases, health workers also perform it, leading to what's known as the "medicalisation" of FGM. According to UNFPA, Over 20 million girls and women have undergone FGM at the hands of healthcare providers (medicalisation of FGM), with Egypt and Sudan accounting for 78% and 77%, respectively.
7. What instruments are used for FGM?
Special knives, scissors, scalpels, pieces of glass, or razor blades are commonly used. Anaesthetics and antiseptics are generally not used except in medical settings. In communities practising infibulation, girls' legs may be bound together to immobilise them during healing.
The Bottom line
As mentioned, FGM is practised for reasons like religion, cultural beliefs, and the desire to protect virginity before marriage. Despite international efforts to end it, many countries still struggle to enforce laws against FGM.
On International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM 2025, it’s crucial for communities to unite to end this harmful practice. We must prioritise human rights, ensuring equality for all and addressing the health needs of women and girls affected by FGM.
Women and girls are key to making progress, as their leadership fosters a more equal society. Together, we can raise awareness and prevent FGM to protect every girl and woman, contributing to the global movement of ending FGM.
Remember, "Health comes before beliefs; let's stand strong and unite to end FGM."
"#unit2endfgm"
References
1. Klein E, Helzner E, Shayowitz M, Kohlhoff S, Smith-Norowitz TA. Female Genital Mutilation: Health Consequences and Complications-A Short Literature Review. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6079349/
2. Galgano AC, Kikuchi JY. Female Genital Mutilation or Cutting. [Updated 2024 Aug 17]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK606106/
3. https://www.unicef.org/protection/female-genital-mutilation
