International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation

International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation

International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation aims to raise awareness about the risks and repercussions of this harmful practice. Recognised worldwide, the day focuses on advocating for the rights, dignity, and physical integrity of girls and women who are at risk or survivors of this discrimination-based violence. It also furthers the push for stronger legislation, law enforcement, and provision of support services to help eventual eradication of female genital mutilation (FGM).

The United Nations established the International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation in 2003, following a campaign led by Stella Obasanjo, the First Lady of Nigeria. In Australia, the importance of this day cannot be understated as the country is home to a diverse population, including migrants and refugees from countries where FGM is prevalent. The Australian government is committed to upholding human rights, thus recognises the need for zero tolerance towards FGM. Dedicated work from both government and NGOs is ongoing to aid affected individuals through education and support services.

Observance of this day in Australia includes throwing light on government efforts to combat FGM through legal and policy measures. The cultural and education sectors also play a pivotal role in busting myths about FGM and promote dialogue on the subject. Furthermore, numerous events take place across the country to foster awareness about the harmful effects of FGM, encouraging communities to stand together for its abolition. International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation is annually observed on the 6th of February.

Top 8 Facts for 2026 International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation in Australia

• The International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation in 2026 will be observed under the global theme Towards 2030: No end to female genital mutilation without sustained commitment and investment, emphasizing that billions in economic benefits are gained for every dollar invested in ending the practice.
• A significant legislative milestone for Australians is the recent passage of the Crimes Amendment (Sexual Offences and Female Genital Mutilation) Bill 2025 in New South Wales, which modernizes legal frameworks to better protect at-risk individuals and survivors within the state.
• Research from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare indicates that an estimated 53,000 women and girls living in Australia have undergone the procedure, a figure that continues to inform national health policy and community outreach.
• In Australia, the practice is a criminal offense in every state and territory, and under "extraterritoriality" provisions, it is also a crime to take a child overseas for the purpose of FGM, even if the procedure is legal in the destination country.
• Health professionals across the country frequently engage with the Family Reproductive Rights Education Program, or FARREP, which provides specialized, culturally sensitive support and education to communities where the practice has been traditional.
• Global projections for 2026 suggest that approximately 4 million girls will be at risk of being subjected to the practice in that single year alone, highlighting the urgency for the UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme on the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation to accelerate its interventions.
• The documentary Mutilación Genital Femenina and the 2025 film Safe Community for Development have gained traction in international human rights circles for documenting the lived experiences of survivors and the shifting cultural norms led by former circumcisers.
• Advocates in Australia are increasingly using the hashtag #Invest2EndFGM to highlight that the pace of progress must increase 27 times over current rates to meet the Sustainable Development Goal of total eradication by 2030.

In the News and Trending in Australia for International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation

Top things to do in Australia for this observance

• Traditional values and practices can be harmful especially if those practices carry unnecessary risk. It is believed that older generations are more likely to carry on such traditions despite scientific evidence against them. According to the U.N, adolescent girls aged 15-19 are less supportive of female genital mutilation than women aged 45-49. The U.N recommends investing in youth-led movements to help achieve gender equality and to eliminate violence against women and girls. Learn how you can become involved in their latest campaign Generation Equality.
• Learn more about the health risks of female genital mutilation and how you can help prevent the practice of it.
• Read a book to learn more about FGM:
  Cutting Traditions: An Anthropologist and her Friends Face FGM - by Rhonda Ellis
  Undoing FGM. Pierre Foldes, the Surgeon Who Restores the Clitoris - by Hubert Prolongeau
• Join events hosted by Non-Government Organizations: Many NGOs such as the United Nations Association of Australia, Australia's National Research Organisation for Women's Safety and International Women’s Development Agency hold forums, discussions, and events to raise awareness on FGM.