International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation 2023

About

6 February 2023 marks the 12th anniversary of the ‘International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation’, established by the United Nations General Assembly in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The day provides the opportunity for Governments, Member States, civil society organizations, development partners, activists, and other relevant stakeholders to raise awareness, renew commitments and reiterate that female genital mutilation is an unacceptable harmful practice and a violation of women and girls’ basic human rights.

With eight years remaining in this decade of action, there is potential in eliminating this harmful practice through sustainable partnerships with men and boys. The theme of the 2023 commemorations is “Partnership with Men and Boys to Transform Social and Gender Norms to End Female Genital Mutilation”. Today, men and boys are more educated and receptive to change than before, and in some countries, they are more likely to disapprove of female genital mutilation and domestic violence than women and girls. Partnering with men and boys, without detracting the focus from women and girls, ensures families, communities, institutions, and policy-makers support and invest in girls to promote the elimination of female genital mutilation.

UNICEF calls on the global community to partner with men and boys and foster their engagement to accelerate the elimination of this harmful practice and uplift the voices of women and girls.

You can find the advocacy flyer and key messages in English, French and Arabic to the right.