Monrovia, Liberia – The Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center for Women Development (EJSPCWD) has stated that Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) “has no place in our world.”
The organization made this assertion during the International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM on February 6, 2025.
On this significant day, organizations and advocates around the world, including the group founded by Africa’s first female president, reaffirmed their commitment to ending the harmful practice of FGM.
The message was clear: “FGM Has No Place in Our World.”
The global outcry emphasizes the universal rights of women and girls to live free from violence and mutilation.
While notable progress has been made in the fight against FGM, the battle is far from over.
A stark reminder of the ongoing struggle was seen last year in The Gambia, where the country’s FGM ban was at risk of being overturned.
Thanks to the tireless advocacy of various organizations and the resilience of activists, the law remains intact.
This victory is a powerful statement of the power of collective action, proving that progress is possible when communities unite for change.
Despite these successes, the global statistics are sobering.
Over 200 million women and girls worldwide have been subjected to FGM, a practice that continues in several countries despite its clear violation of human rights.
FGM is not only a physical violation but also leaves lasting psychological, emotional, and social consequences for the affected women and girls. It robs them of their health, dignity, and, in many cases, their future.
On this International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM, activists are calling for renewed focus on the issue.
They urge governments, organizations, and individuals to amplify the voices of survivors and continue pushing for policies that safeguard every girl’s right to grow up free from harm.
The collective effort to ban FGM must not only be maintained but strengthened. This requires heightened awareness, more community-led initiatives, and continued support for those working on the front lines.
The EJSPCWD emphasized that FGM is a violation of human rights affecting women and girls globally.
The group further highlighted that FGM is not just a cultural practice; it is a form of violence, stressing that it is about time for the world to say, ‘enough is enough.’
“Every girl deserves the right to grow up free from harm, and we will not stop until FGM is eradicated everywhere.”
This year’s International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM serves as both a solemn reminder of the work still to be done and a celebration of the victories already achieved.
The message is clear: the global community will continue to stand in solidarity with women and girls everywhere until every instance of FGM is eradicated.
“As we reflect on the journey ahead, the words of survivors and advocates resonate: “No more silence. No more tolerance. No more FGM,” EJSPCWD emphasized.
The movement to end FGM has gained significant momentum, and with continued effort, a world free from this harmful practice is within reach.
