International Day On Zero Tolerance to FGM

February 6th, 2006, International Day On Zero Tolerance to FGM: "Help us make their voices be heard….."
The Inter-African Committee (IAC) in collaboration with the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights welcomes you to join us to celebrate this important Date
Date and Venue: Palais Wilson, Geneva, Switzerland
February 6th, 2006, 10.00 am

The United Nations has designated 6 February as the "International Day of Zero Tolerance of Female Genital Mutilation". The Inter-African Committee (IAC) in collaboration with the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights will be holding a commemoration of this important date on February 6, 2006, to highlight FGM as a harmful traditional practice, and a violation of the fundamental human rights of girls and women.

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a surgical procedure performed on the genitals of girls and women in many parts of the world. The term FGM covers a range of procedures, which are also referred to as female circumcision and introcision. FGM is found extensively in Africa and is also indigenous to other parts of the world. The age and time at which FGM is practised differs from community to community, and can be carried out from as early as a few days after birth, to immediately after the birth of a woman's first child. One of the notable trends in global FGM today is the progressive lowering of the age at which girls undergo the practice.

However, global efforts to bring an end to the custom of female genital cutting are increasing, with many nations putting in place legislation against the practice, and a number of international organisations making the elimination of FGM a priority.

For more information on FGM and its consequences, please click here
For more information on the Inter-african Committee, please visit their website at www.iac-ciaf.org