International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM
ActionAid is hosting a discussion to mark International Day of Zero Tolerance for female genital mutilation (FGM) on Friday 5th February.
The event took place from 13.05 to 14.00 over Zoom. You can register for the event here.
It is estimated that the pandemic could lead to an extra two million girls worldwide being cut, due to girls staying home from school. In Ireland, according to the Central Statistics Office, 5,790 women and girls have undergone FGM. In addition, 1,632 girls are estimated to be at high-risk.
The ActionAid event will include information from three speakers. There will also be time for questions and answers.
The Speakers
- Triona Pender, Head of Programmes, ActionAid Ireland. Triona coordinates ActionAid Ireland’s Women’s Rights Programme in Kenya, Ethiopia and Nepal. She also coordinates our work to end FGM in Ireland.
- Ola Bakinson, Facilitator, ActionAid Ireland. Ola facilitates ActionAid’s project to end FGM in Ireland and will provide a first-hand account of some of the challenges and opportunities in combatting FGM.
- Dr Caroline Munyi, Migrant Women’s Health Coordinator, AkiDwA. AkiDwA is a national network of migrant women living in Ireland. AkiDwA and ActionAid both sit on the National Steering Committee on FGM.
The event took place over Zoom.
About International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM
In 2012, the UN General Assembly designated February 6th as the International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM. And so, the aim of the day is to amplify and direct the efforts on the elimination of this practice.
FGM includes all procedures that involve altering or injuring the female genitalia for non-medical reasons. Therefore, FGM is recognised internationally as a violation of the human rights, the health and the integrity of girls and women. To learn more, read our Q&A on FGM here.
