International Day for the Elimination of FGM – 2023

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is recognized as a violation of the fundamental rights of girls and women, and is a reflection of deep-rooted gender inequality in some African countries for the preservation of their traditions. Since these mutilations are almost always practiced on minors, they also constitute a violation of the rights of the child. The consequences of this practice are enormous and affect the intimate life of women, their psychology, their physique and disturb their entire sexual life, health, etc. In some African countries where this custom is rampant, there are national laws to fight against all forms of violence against women but they are often not respected. FGM practiced on minors not only is violence against women, but also violence against children. We seek the involvement and commitment of communities to unite as one against these acts of FGM in order to promote the rights of children and eradicate this gender inequality. It is the national communities that must be informed, trained, sensitized in order to work against FGM, on the one hand, on the other hand, advocacy work by civil society actors must be organized and must be addressed to the heads of states of African countries in which this violation of law is still practiced. This concern should be one of the priorities of the United Nations Human Rights Commission. It is with these words that we commemorate the International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation this year 2023. Kinshasa, February 5, 2023 For NGO Vision Communautaire, Mrs. Ntakebuka Wilhelmine

We received this valuable contribution for publication directly from Ntakebuka Wene Mwafizi Wilhelmine, our Regional Vice President for Africa Francophone.