International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation: Health Risks, Awareness & Medical Evaluation

What is the International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM?

The International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation serves as an annual United Nations-sponsored awareness campaign observed every February 6th. This vital day aims to amplify global efforts to eliminate female genital mutilation while highlighting progress made in protecting vulnerable girls and women worldwide.

The day unites healthcare professionals, community leaders, activists, and policymakers to strengthen alliances and accelerate programmes designed to end this harmful practice. Through coordinated international efforts, the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation 2026 will continue building momentum towards achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goal of eliminating all harmful practices against women and girls by 2030.

This observance provides a platform for sharing resources, funding prevention programmes, and supporting survivors through comprehensive medical care and psychological support services.

Why This Day Matters Globally

Global recognition of zero tolerance for FGM addresses significant setbacks caused by recent challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, which increased risks for millions of vulnerable girls. The pandemic disrupted prevention programmes and reduced access to protective services, making international coordination more crucial than ever.

Female genital mutilation awareness campaigns supported by this day help communities understand the severe health consequences and human rights violations associated with FGM. These efforts strengthen local capacity to protect girls while creating the most severe complications, including obstructed menstruation, urinary retention, and childbirth difficulties.

The International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation also promotes sustainable funding for prevention programmes, training healthcare providers, and developing culturally sensitive approaches to community education and engagement.

What is Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)?

Female genital mutilation encompasses all procedures involving partial or total removal of external female genitalia or other injury to female genital organs for non-medical reasons. The World Health Organisation recognises FGM as a fundamental human rights violation with no medical benefits and severe health consequences.

This practice typically occurs during childhood or adolescence, often without the girl's consent or understanding of the long-term implications. FGM reflects deeply rooted gender inequalities and represents an extreme form of discrimination against women and girls.

Types of Female Genital Mutilation

• Type 1 (Clitoridectomy): Partial or total removal of the clitoral glans and/or prepuce, often causing immediate bleeding, pain, and long-term sexual health complications.
• Type 2 (Excision): Partial or total removal of the clitoral glans and labia minora, with possible removal of labia majora, leading to increased infection risks and urinary complications.
• Type 3 (Infibulation): Narrowing of the vaginal opening through cutting and repositioning the labia, creating the most severe complications, including obstructed menstruation, urinary retention, and childbirth difficulties.
• Type 4: All other harmful procedures, including pricking, piercing, incising, scraping, or cauterising female genitalia for non-medical purposes.

History of the International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM

The International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation's history traces back to 2003 when Stella Obasanjo, First Lady of Nigeria, declared "Zero Tolerance to FGM" during an Inter-African Committee conference. This declaration marked a pivotal moment in global advocacy efforts.

The UN Sub-Commission on Human Rights subsequently recognized this initiative as an official awareness day. In 2012, the UN General Assembly formally designated February 6th through Resolution A/RES/67/146, establishing the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation as a permanent fixture in the international calendar.

This historical progression demonstrates growing global recognition that zero tolerance for FGM requires sustained international cooperation, community engagement, and comprehensive support systems for prevention and survivor care.

Global and Regional Prevalence of FGM

According to the WHO, current statistics reveal that more than over 230 million girls and women alive today have undergone some form of FGM, predominantly in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. The UNFPA estimates an additional 2 million girls will face increased risk by 2030 due to pandemic-related disruptions to prevention programmes.

Despite concerning prevalence rates, progress continues through community declarations to abandon FGM. Since 2008, prevention services have reached nearly 7 million people, while 48 million individuals have participated in public declarations supporting the abandonment of these practices.

Regional variations exist, with some communities showing significant progress in reducing FGM rates through education, legal reforms, and alternative rites of passage that celebrate girls without causing harm.

Why FGM is a Human Rights Violation

FGM violates fundamental human rights by inflicting severe pain, permanent health damage, and psychological trauma without consent or medical justification. This practice denies girls their basic rights to bodily autonomy, gender equality, and access to health and life free from violence.

International health organisations, including WHO, UNFPA, and UNICEF, unanimously condemn FGM as violence against women and girls. The practice perpetuates harmful gender stereotypes while causing immediate and lifelong health complications that affect quality of life, relationships, and reproductive health.

Zero tolerance for FGM recognises that no cultural, religious, or traditional justification can override the fundamental human rights to safety, health, and dignity that every girl deserves.

Medical Care, Support & Health Tests

• Immediate care management: Healthcare providers treat post-procedure complications, including haemorrhage, infection, and shock, through wound cleaning, antibiotic therapy, and pain relief protocols.
• Long-term health support: Survivors receive ongoing counselling, mental health services, and sexual/reproductive health education tailored to their specific needs and experiences.
• Essential health screenings: Regular testing using Urine Culture Test and Urine Routine Test (Urine R/M Test), Viral Marker Test, STD (Sexually Transmitted Diseases) Profile - 1/2/3, Fertility Endocrine Profile - Female, and Infertility Profile - Female helps identify complications early.
• Specialised surgical interventions: Defibulation surgery for Type 3 FGM is recommended prior to childbirth, performed by trained healthcare providers following WHO guidelines for FGM-specific care.
• Prevention and education: Healthcare providers receive training to counsel families and communities about FGM risks while promoting alternative celebrations that honour girls safely.

Conclusion

The International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation 2026 represents another opportunity to accelerate global progress towards ending this harmful practice within one generation. Through sustained education, adequate funding, and strong community alliances, we can empower girls with voice, choice, and protection while ensuring survivors receive the comprehensive medical care they deserve.

Female genital mutilation awareness continues growing as communities recognise that protecting girls' health and rights creates stronger, healthier societies for everyone. Healthcare providers, families, and community leaders all play vital roles in this transformation.

At Metropolis Healthcare, we understand the importance of comprehensive health monitoring and support. Our network of over 220 laboratories and 4,600 service centres provides access to essential health screenings that support women's reproductive health and overall well-being. Through our convenient home sample collection service, spanning 10,000+ touchpoints across India, women can access testing from the privacy of their homes.

FAQs

What is the International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM?

This annual UN Day on February 6th raises awareness and accelerates global efforts to end FGM, uniting leaders and communities for progress toward elimination.

Why is female genital mutilation harmful?

FGM causes severe pain, infections, hemorrhage, infertility, childbirth complications, and psychological trauma, violating human rights and offering no medical benefit.

Is FGM still practised today?

Yes, over 230 million girls and women alive today have undergone FGM, with millions more at risk, especially amid pandemic disruptions.

What are the health effects of FGM?

Immediate effects include bleeding and infection; long-term risks are urinary issues, menstrual problems, pain, infertility, and newborn complications during delivery.

Can FGM survivors receive medical care?

Yes, survivors access prevention services, defibulation surgery, mental health support, STI screening, and complication management through trained healthcare providers.

Is FGM illegal?

FGM is recognised as a human rights violation; many countries ban it, with UN resolutions urging global enforcement and zero tolerance.

How can FGM be prevented?

Through community education, public declarations, youth advocacy, funding programmes, and healthcare worker training to promote abandonment by 2030.