International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation is 6 February. 230 million girls and women may experience long-term complications from FGM. #Unite2EndFGM
2025 Theme
What is the 2025 theme for International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation?
In International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, 6 February: 2025 Theme: Step Up the Pace the United Nations (UN) elaborate on:
“There is an urgent need for even more targeted, coordinated and sustained and concerted efforts if we are to achieve our common goal of ending female genital mutilation by 2030. Every survivor’s voice is a call to action, and every choice they make in reclaiming their lives contributes to the global movement to end this harmful practice”.
Female Genital Mutilation
What is Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)?
In International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, 6 February: Ending Female Genital Mutilation By 2030 the UN’s definition is:
“Female genital mutilation (FGM) comprises all procedures that involve altering or injuring the female genitalia for non-medical reasons and is recognized internationally as a violation of the human rights, the health and the integrity of girls and women”.
In Female Genital Mutilation (FGM): Overview the (United Kingdom) NHS (National Health Service) explain:
“It’s also known as female circumcision or cutting, and by other terms, such as Sunna, gudniin, halalays, tahur, megrez and khitan, among others”.
230 Million Girls and Women
How common is FGM?
In Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Frequently Asked Questions resource date March 2024, the United Nations Population Fund note:
“An estimated 230 million girls and women alive today are believed to have been subjected to female genital mutilation; but the number of girls subjected to the practice will likely increase due to global population growth. Girls and women who have undergone female genital mutilation live predominately in sub-Saharan Africa and the Arab States, but it is also practiced in select countries in Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin America. It also occurs among int Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand”.
Long Term Complications
What can long-term complications of FGM include?
In Female Genital Mutilation: No Health Benefits, Only Harm, dated 31 January 2025, the WHO elaborate on:
“Long-term complications can include:
- Urinary problems (painful urination, urinary tract infections);
- Vaginal problems (discharge, itching, bacterial vaginosis and other infections);
- Menstrual problems (painful menstruations, difficulty in passing menstrual blood, etc.);
- Scar tissue and keloid;
- Sexual problems (pain during intercourse, decreased satisfaction, etc.);
- Increased risk of childbirth complications (difficult delivery, excessive bleeding, caesarean section, need to resuscitate the baby, etc.) and newborn deaths;
- Need for later surgeries: women with Type 3 might require deinfibulation (opening the infibulated scar to allow for sexual intercourse and childbirth;
- Psychological problems (depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, low self-esteem, etc.)”.
Health Care Provider
What if I am worried about something down there?
If you are worried about something – anything – down there, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this.
In Vulval Irritation: Odour the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health explain:
“If you are worried about the odour of your vulva and vagina, and/or have symptoms such as itching, burning, irritation, soreness, painful sex or painful urination, see your doctor”.
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- Female Genital Mutilation [31 January 2025]
- International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation
- International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation 2025
- International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, 6 February: 2025 Theme: Step Up the Pace
- Putting Survivors At the Forefront of the Global Movement To End Female Genital Mutilation [06 February 2025]
- Stepping Up the Pace: Strengthening Alliances and Building Movements to End FGM [06 February 2025]
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: Resources for You
- Australian and New Zealand Vulvovaginal Society: Patient Information
- Dr. Stephanie Faubion – Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause
- End FGM European Network
- FAQs on Female Genital Mutilation : Causes, Impact and How To End It
- Female Genital Mutilation
- Female Genital Mutilation
- Female Genital Mutilation
Female Genital Mutilation- Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
- Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Frequently Asked Questions
- Female Genital Mutilation (FGM): National FGM Support Clinics [United Kingdom]
- Female Genital Mutilation (FGM): Overview [+ Videos]
- Find A Menopause Practitioner [United States and Other]
- Find An AMS Member [Australasian Menopause Society i.e. Australia and New Zealand]
- Find Your Nearest BMS Menopause Specialist [British Menopause Society]
- Forward [Foundation for Women’s Health Research and Development, United Kingdom]
- Frequently Asked Questions: Female Genital Mutilation
- Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause
- Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause [Video]
- How To Talk To Your Doctor About Bladder Leakage
- How To Talk To Your Doctor About Painful Sex
- International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation
- International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation 2025
- International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, 6 February
- International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, 6 February: 2025 Theme: Step Up the Pace
- International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health: Find A Provider
- Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Sexual Wellbeing and Intimacy During and After Menopause [+ Video: Menopause Is the End of Your Sex Life]
- Menopause
- Menopause and Human Rights – Frequently Asked Questions
- Putting Survivors At the Forefront of the Global Movement To End Female Genital Mutilation
- Stepping Up the Pace: Strengthening Alliances and Building Movements to End FGM
- UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme on the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation
- Videos & Podcasts: Videos – Menopause and Hormone Therapy: Current Perspectives and Controversies
- Vulva and Vagina
- Vulva and Vaginal Conditions
- Vulval Irritation
- What Is Female Genital Mutilation? Everything You Need To Know About FGM and What UNICEF Is Doing To Stop It
- What Types of Vaginal Oestrogens Are There?
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- Which Vaginal Moisturiser Should You Use?
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