International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, February 6, 2024

Globally, it is estimated that at least 200 million girls and women alive today have undergone female genital mutilation (FGM) in 30 countries. In 2012, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted the first-ever resolution against female genital mutilation, recognizing it as a human rights violation and calling for intensified global efforts to eliminate the practice and designated the 6th of February as the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

February 6th marks the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). Female genital mutilation (FGM) comprises all procedures that involve altering or injuring the female genitalia for non-medical reasons and is recognized internationally as a violation of the human rights, health and integrity of girls and women.

Girls who undergo female genital mutilation face short-term complications such as severe pain, shock, excessive bleeding, infections, and difficulty in passing urine, as well as long-term consequences for their sexual and reproductive health and mental health.

During this year’s commemoration of the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation under the theme  “Her Voice. Her Future. Investing in Survivor-Led Movements”

UNFPA Tanzania will support the following activities;

Female Genital Mutilation Documentary Screening and Panel Discussion-6th February 2023

Organized by UNFPA in partnership with the European Union in Tanzania, Embassy of Belgium and the Embassy of Finland, UNFPA will support an FGM documentary screening and panel discussion that will reflect on Tanzania’s progress in the elimination of female genital mutilation featuring the Minister of Community of Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups and young leaders/activists.

This will mark the national commemoration and create greater awareness among key stakeholders and provide an opportunity to reflect on the progress in the elimination of female genital mutilation in Tanzania.

Community outreach/Grassroots movements building event

This year’s commemoration will also include the commemorations of the International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM at the grassroots level targeting adolescent girls and young women, many of whom are survivors of FGM, in line with this year’s theme “Her Voice. Her Future. Investing in Survivor-Led Movements’. Supported by UNFPA in partnership with C-SEMA and the Ministry of Community Develeopment, Gender, Women and special Groups this event which will be held in a selected school in Arusha region, will provide a platform for girl champions and survivors of FGM to share their experiences and add their voices to the call to end FGM in Tanzania.

Putting young people in the driver’s seat will also be part of the implementation of the outcomes of the 2nd International Conference on FGM that called for investment in youth movements and young people in Africa in the efforts to end FGM.

For Media queries and further information please contact: 
Warren Bright,
Communications Analyst,
UNFPA Tanzania,
Email: bwarren@unfpa.org,
Mobile: +255 764 43 44 45