New York, 6 February 2022 (TDI): In the words of the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, the international community must address carefully the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation.
He pointed out the need for the States to invest in the protection of human rights. Especially of girls and women who suffer from genital mutilation to put an end to this practice by 2030.
Female Genital Mutilation Warning Aspects
According to the United Nations, female Genital Mutation or otherwise known as (FGM), is a practice and procedure that change, damage, or alter a woman’s genitalia. This practice is usually done for reasons that are non-medical and are recognized by the United Nations as a violation of human rights.
Young women who undergo such procedures face a large number of health issues. From immense pain, infections, excessive bleeding, and shock to long-term effects on their reproductive systems and mental health.
All countries must eliminate harmful practices against women and girls. Traditional practices like female genital mutilation #FGM pose major health risks.
The world must make faster progress to #EndFGM by 2030. https://t.co/parLs4menn pic.twitter.com/LzGZ60hWpT
— UN Geneva (@UNGeneva) February 5, 2022
These procedures concentrate in areas of the Middle East and Africa; however, according to the UN, this problem spans throughout the globe. Specifically in some areas of Latin America and Asia. It even continues as a practice in countries such as Europe, New Zealand, Australia, and North America. Mainly within the immigrant communities.
Female Genital Mutilation Victims Statistical Data
Moreover, COVID19 has only made such an issue even worse within the world. This is because the Sustainable Development Goal No. 5.3 faced significant barriers in eliminating such dangerous practices during the pandemic. Thus resulting in older and younger women becoming vulnerable to such practices even more.
According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), 2 million young women are estimated to become victims of FGM by 2030. In response to such developments, the UNFPA has worked with the United Nations Children’s Fund to launch the UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Program. This will launch that establish the issue of FMG into post-crisis and humanitarian solutions.
Nonetheless, to truly make a difference and end such a practice, community efforts and support are needed. Also, as the Secretary-General stressed, “we’re focusing on factors such as gender equality, sexual education, and human rights.
