By Anjali Sharma
UNITED NATIONS – World health agency on Thursday warned that without urgent action, some 27 million more girls could undergo the female genital mutilation procedure by 2030, as the world body marks the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation.
According to the WHO, Female Genital Mutilation refers to all procedures involving the partial or total removal of female external genitalia or other injuries to female genital organs for non-medical reasons.
UN chief Antonio Guterres in his message for the day that “More than 230 million girls and women alive today are survivors of this abhorrent practice,” he described it as “one of the most brutal manifestations of gender inequality”.
UN sexual and reproductive health agency, the UNICEF and WHO reaffirmed that FGM has no health benefits, with lifelong consequences including severe infections, complications in childbirth, chronic pain and psychological trauma.
Mr. Guterres emphasized “Eradicating this vicious human rights violation is urgent, and it is possible,” .
UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme on the Elimination of FGM, in collaboration with WHO has provided prevention and protection services to nearly seven million girls and women.
The initiative has also mobilized 12,000 grassroots organizations and trained 112,000 community and frontline workers. Additionally, 48 million people have publicly declared their commitment to ending the practice.
The road to elimination remains steep despite these efforts, the agencies stated.
Only 7 of the 31 countries with available data are on track to meet the Sustainable Development Goals target of ending genital mutilation by 2030, UN reported.
Gambia, attempts to repeal the ban on genital mutilation threaten to reverse years of progress, underscoring the fragility of existing gains.
Step Up the Pace, the theme serves as a call to accelerate global efforts to eliminate genital mutilation and dismantle the harmful gender and social norms that perpetuate it.
Mr. Guterres said “We must strengthen global movements to break down harmful attitudes, beliefs and gender stereotypes.”
The key part of this effort is The Pact for the Future, adopted by UN Member States last September. This global commitment aims to tackle gender discrimination and harmful social norms, ensuring that laws and policies align with efforts to end FGM worldwide.
According to the WHO the failure to end FGM has dire social, economic and health consequences. And treating health complications from genital mutilation costs healthcare systems $1.4 billion annually.
The mental and emotional toll on survivors can last a lifetime, impacting their education, employment and overall well-being.
UN is calling for stronger alliances, increased investment and sustained advocacy with less than five years left to reach the 2030 target.
“Let’s join forces to make female genital mutilation history and ensure a brighter, healthier and more just future for all women and girls everywhere,” Mr. Guterres concluded.
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