FEBRUARY 6 was United Nations’ international day of zero tolerance for female genital mutilation (FGM).

According to the UN, FGM comprises all procedures that involve altering or injuring the female genitalia for non-medical reasons, and is recognised internationally as a violation of the human rights of girls and women.

It reflects deep-rooted inequality between the sexes, and constitutes an extreme form of discrimination against women and girls. The practice also violates their rights to health, security and physical integrity, their right to be free from torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, and their right to life when the procedure results in death.

Globally, it is estimated that between 100 to 140 million girls and women alive today have undergone some form of FGM and if trend continues, 15 million additional girls between ages 15 and 19 will be subjected to it by 2030.

FGM is mostly carried out on young girls sometime between infancy and age 15. It causes severe bleeding and health issues including cysts, infections, infertility, as well as complications in childbirth, and increased risk of newborn deaths.

Currently the UNFPA, jointly with UNICEF, leads the largest global programme to accelerate the abandonment of FGM in 17 African countries, and supports regional and global initiatives.

The call for an end to FGM can be also done using #EndFGM on social media posts. The call comes as part of the UNFPA efforts with governments, partners and other UN agencies to directly tackle many of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals aimed at transforming the world over the next five years, particularly goal three on health, goal four on education, and goal five on gender equality.