PRESS STATEMENT
THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF ZERO TOLERANCE FOR FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION (FGM)
6 February 2021
The Building Blocks for Peace Foundation (BBFORPEACE) joins other stakeholders around the world to commemorate “The International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)”. This day provides yet another opportunity to reemphasize the need to put an end to the violation of the human rights of girls and women through the practice of FGM. We note with sadness that despite all campaigns, events and activities held over the years to educate and sensitize people about the dangers and health implications that come with Female Genital Mutilation; this practice persists across the world and especially in some parts of Nigeria.
The United Nations reports that in 2021 alone, over four million girls around the world are at risk of undergoing FGM. The practice of FGM has absolutely no health benefits, and all it does is harm girls and women in quite a number of ways, including intracranial haemorrhage, painful sexual intercourse, urinary tract infections, prolonged and obstructed labour, vesical-vagina fistula, excessive bleeding, genital tissue swelling, psychological problems, severe pain, shock and even death.
As an organisation that promotes Women, Peace and Security, we outrightly condemn the practice of Female Genital Mutilation everywhere as not only is the act barbaric but it is also one that has been very harmful to the health of its victims, due to the immediate and long-term implications. Therefore, on this day, we lend our voice to putting an end to Female Genital Mutilation and all other forms of violence and inequalities against girls and women.
Signed
Susan O. Michael
Director, Women, Peace and Security,
Building Blocks for Peace Foundation