February 6: International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation

| February 2, 2015

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February 6 is the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation. Once again, Barza Wire is highlighting resources to help journalists and broadcasters raise the issue and start a discussion amongst their listening audiences.

According to the World Health Organization, female genital mutilation, or FGM, includes all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitals, or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. The practice has no health benefits and harms girls and women in many ways.

FGM involves removing and damaging healthy and normal female genital tissue, and hence interferes with the natural functioning of girls’ and women’s bodies. The practice causes severe pain and has several immediate and long-term health consequences, including difficulties in childbirth which also risk harming the child.

The United Nations website contains key facts, links, videos and other resources which can be used as the basis for a program or article. You can read the page at this address: http://www.un.org/en/events/femalegenitalmutilationday/

In 2014, UN WOMEN posted a message from its Executive Director, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, to mark the Day. To access the message and several accompanying stories, go to: http://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2014/1/ed-message-for-zero-tolerance-for-fgm-day

The World Health Organization’s website offers links and resources for activists and for those who wish to bring the issue to the attention of their audiences. Find out more here: http://www.who.int/topics/female_genital_mutilation/en/

Further information on FGM is available on the Barza Wire website. You can find it through this address: http://wire.barza.fm/en/farmer-stories/2013/11/notes-to-broadcasters-breast-ironing-and-female-genital-mutilation-6823

Stories on the subject are available through the Barza Wire and Farm Radio Weekly websites, including: http://wire.barza.fm/en/farmer-stories/2013/03/kenya-men-help-turn-tide-against-female-genital-mutilation-ips-and-un-news-centre-5850; and http://wire.barza.fm/en/farmer-stories/2013/11/cameroon-a-victim-raises-awareness-about-the-dangers-of-breast-ironing-by-anne-mireille-nzouankeu-for-farm-radio-weekly-6830