International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation

Facts about this United Nations observance

• The theme for International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation in 2022 was Accelerating Investment to End FGM.
• According to the UNICEF, in 2022, there were about 200 million women across 31 countries that have undergone female genital mutilation.
• According to the U.N, girls who undergo female genital mutilation can face short-term complications such as severe pain, shock, excessive bleeding, and infection. They may also face long-term complications regarding their sexual and reproductive health.
• Canada passed legislation in 1997, which prohibits FGM under the Criminal Code of Canada. The practice is considered a form of child abuse and is punishable by law with up to 14 years of imprisonment.
• Canada recognizes FGM as a form of gender-based persecution and as grounds for asylum. The Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada takes FGM into consideration when reviewing refugee claims from women and girls fleeing countries with a high prevalence of the practice.

In the News and Trending in Canada for International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation

Top things to do in Canada for this observance

• Traditional values and practices can be harmful especially if those practices carry unnecessary risk. It is believed that older generations are more likely to carry on such traditions despite scientific evidence against them. According to the U.N, adolescent girls aged 15-19 are less supportive of female genital mutilation than women aged 45-49. The U.N recommends investing in youth-led movements to help achieve gender equality and to eliminate violence against women and girls. Learn how you can become involved in their latest campaign Generation Equality.
• Learn more about the health risks of female genital mutilation and how you can help prevent the practice of it.

References and related sites