Secretary Clinton Speaks about the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation
February 16, 2012
| |
 |
| |
Genet, Tsiyon, and their friends are happy because they are the first generation in Kembata, Durame Woreda, Ethiopia, who do not have to undergo FGM/C at their young age. Their mothers are not willing to let them be cut because they have realized the consequences of that practice during their own lifetimes. Genet and her friends say that if the boys complain about them not being circumcised, they will say, "We don't need to marry you."
Credit: Netsanet Assaye/Photoshare |
International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation takes place each year in an effort to make the world aware of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), also known as female circumcision, and to promote the worldwide abandonment of the practice.
On February 16, 2012, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton hosted a high level event on FGM/C at the State Department featuring speakers from international and nongovernmental partner organizations.
The Secretary explained "that there is no cultural justification for female genital cutting, a practice that is sometimes referred to as female circumcision," and that "governments and non-governmental organizations are making progress toward ending female genital mutilation, or FGM, by reaching out to those who still practice it." Following the Secretary, Representative Joe Crowley (D-NY) also delivered remarks. Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues Melanne Verveer then moderated a panel discussion with leading experts and activists dedicated to the global effort to eradicate FGM/C and to raise awareness of its negative consequences on women, girls, families, and societies.
Read or listen to Secretary Clinton's remarks and learn more below.
Related Resources
The United States stands in consensus with women, governments, and donors around the world in a commitment to provide the energy and resources necessary to end this harmful traditional practice that violates girls' right to bodily integrity, harms their health, and reduces their status in society.
FGM/C, is a traditional cultural practice that ranges from nicking to total removal of the external female genitalia. An estimated 100 to 140 million women have undergone this procedure. FGM/C is practiced across cultures and religions, though no religion mandates the procedure.
Research has shown that all forms of the practice harm women's health, causing serious pain, trauma, and frequently severe physical complications, such as bleeding, infections, or even death. Long-term complications may include recurrent infections, infertility, and difficult or dangerous childbirth that can result in the death of the mother and infant.
USAID Works to Support the Abandonment of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting
USAID has supported FGM/C abandonment efforts since the early 1990s, considering it not only a public health issue, but also a violation of a woman's right to bodily integrity. Over the years, the Agency has found, through programs and research, that the process of positive social transformation can occur when programs and policies focus on enabling communities to make their own collective choice to abandon FGM/C. These efforts are enhanced by educational campaigns and policy change. Read an issue brief [PDF, 840KB] about USAID's work in specific countries to support abandonment of FGM/C.
Every year February 6 provides an opportunity for the global community to renew energy to ending this harmful practice. Follow USAID for Global Health on Twitter and join the conversation now using the hashtag #EndFGM.
Recent Articles
Additional Resources
|
