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FGM ZERO TOLERANCE DAY: NO TIME FOR GLOBAL INACTION ON FGM By Shalom Adebanjo-Akers and Stella Muiruri February 6 is International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). The designation of such an important day aids in the promotion of the Sustainable Development Goal target which aims to eliminate the practice by 2030. In commemorating the International Day of Zero Tolerance, the Utulivu Women’s Group, ACRE and Partners held a conversation facilitated by an FGM trainer Cecily Mwaniki on February 11, which centred around the global campaign to end FGM. FGM is a topic that is often seen as taboo to talk about, and people often do not understand how vital a role they play in the fight to eliminate the practice, especially the importance of bringing in male voices to such conversations. Despite the limits of the current climate, large numbers signed up for the conversation, which provided attendees with the opportunity to be a part of the online conversation, with a view to unite, educate and act in order to remind one another of the issues affecting women who have been through FGM. During the conversation, participants were asked about their FGM awareness to which 54% responded with ‘very well’, 38% ‘fairly well’ and 8% ‘not well’. So, what is FGM? The World Health Organisation defines Female Genital Mutilation as, harming or removing all or part of the external female genitalia. There are 4 types: Type 1: Clitoridectomy - Involves the removal of the clitoris Type 2: Excision - Involves the remove of the clitoris and the labia Type 3: Infibulation - Involves Narrowing or stitching of the vaginal opening Type 4: Any other harmful procedures that are not included in the first three categories such as pricking, stretching, among others. FGM is child abuse, it is gender-based violence and is part of a continuum of female body and sexuality control, although often carried out by women, it is for the benefit of men. Some of the reasons often cited for its continuation include: • the preparation of a girl for marriage • the preservation of virginity
• the belief that it is a religious requirement, though no religious text requires this • cultural ideals of modesty, including cleanliness There are no health benefits of FGM, rather the physical and psychological effects are severe and can often lead to death. Why is it important to keep the conversation going? FGM affects at least 200 million women and girls in at least 90 countries globally, though the figures do not represent the true scale. It is estimated that 137,000 women and girls are living with the consequences of FGM in the UK, with a further 60,000 girls at risk. Due to the Covid pandemic it is estimated that an additional 2 million girls are thought to be at risk of undergoing female genital mutilation by 2030. It is vital for the global community as a whole, to reimagine a world that enables women and girls to be able to have a voice, choice and control over their lives. During the meeting, which became a space for learning, the participants shared and identified their experiences and feelings. • Victor, a participant, reflected on his experience in attempting to speak out against the practice stating that he was often told to be quiet at his abhorrence of the continuation of the practice. He stressed the importance of bringing men’s voices to the conversation stating, “if men were involved in these conversations, the practice could end sooner.” He said that oftentimes men are not aware of the circumstances surrounding FGM, adding that when they were made aware of the harm of the practice, they were often saddened by it and less likely to endorse it in the future. Furthermore, he noted that men are the ones who contribute to the stigma surrounding FGM, therefore, the inclusion of boys and men can play a vital role in the prevention and abandonment of the practice. • Another panellist, Hadiatu, who works to empower young girls and help them learn to advocate for their right to bodily integrity, spoke of the pressures young girls received from society, which dictated a status quo regardless of the viewpoint of those involved. Highlighting a particular region in Sierra Leone, Hadiatu said that girls would be taught how to perform certain acts, such as cooking and cleaning, only if they had undergone FGM, thus ensuring daughters were fully indoctrinated into the patriarchal society. She
