Ending FGM: World Vision calls for action on Zero Tolerance Day

TODAY marks International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), and international children’s charity World Vision is using this date to call for more action to reach the UN’s target of eliminating FGM by 2030.

Over 230 million girls and women worldwide have undergone FGM, mostly due to a belief in some communities that it is a rite of passage into womanhood – often followed by child marriage and dropping out of school. The reality is that FGM is responsible for several health complications that some women will carry for the rest of their life.

Peninah, a mother in Kenya, is now a World Vision community health volunteer, fighting for girls’ rights to escape this harmful practice. At age 12, she underwent FGM herself, followed by marriage and having four children. She never questioned the role of FGM until her daughter was sponsored through World Vision, enabling them both to be empowered with the knowledge that these traditional practices were damaging and violated their human rights. The education programme they took part in gave them the confidence to be part of the solution.

Peninah is now an advocate for change in her community and has helped girls like Lente, who has learnt about her rights and has a safe place to turn if things go wrong. She knows and understands how FGM can be harmful to her and has avoided being subjected to it.

Aimyleen Gabriel, Senior Child Protection and GESI (Gender Equality and Social Inclusion) Programme Adviser at World Vision, said:

“It is incredibly important for us at World Vision that all girls are prevented from undergoing the practice of FGM, which is not only responsible for many health complications – it is a violation of a child’s human rights and dignity. Child Sponsorship enables World Vision to continue to fight for the rights of girls like Lente, and this means girls can be empowered to pursue brighter futures for themselves and their communities.”

World Vision’s community-based solutions, enabled by Child Sponsorship, help address the root causes of FGM like poverty and gender inequality. Providing education to girls allowsthem to develop a brighter future, learn about their rights, and acquire valuable life skills. World Vision works with faith leaders, local social systems, and organisations to promote gender equality and enable them to respond to FGM practices.

Child Sponsorship continues to benefit girls across the world like Lente, and because of World Vision’s community-focused solutions, for every child sponsored, four more children benefit too. In Kenya alone, there are over 95,000 sponsored children, half of whom are girls experiencing the same benefits as Lente.