Millions of Girls Remain at Risk: Urgent Action Needed to End FGM by 2030
Each year, around 4 million girls undergo Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), a practice recognized as a severe violation of child rights. On February 6, the International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM, the UN has warned that without stronger legal enforcement, community action, and sustained investment, efforts to eliminate FGM by 2030 may falter.
FGM continues to threaten the health, safety, and well-being of millions of girls worldwide. The practice causes severe physical pain, complications in childbirth, chronic infections, and long-term psychological trauma. Beyond health consequences, FGM violates fundamental child rights and prevents girls from reaching their full potential.
International Legal Frameworks Protecting Children
Children’s rights are safeguarded under international and regional laws. The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC, 1989) obliges governments to protect children from physical and mental violence, abuse, neglect, and harmful practices. Articles 19 and 24 specifically focus on protection and the right to health. The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW, 1979) requires the elimination of harmful practices affecting girls. In Africa, the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (1990) explicitly prohibits cultural practices that endanger children, including FGM. Many countries have also enacted national laws criminalizing the practice.
Challenges in Enforcement
Despite legal frameworks, enforcement often remains weak. Authorities sometimes lack resources or training to identify and prevent FGM. While courts and child protection services have intervened in some cases to remove girls from danger and prosecute offenders, deeply rooted social norms, particularly in rural or marginalized communities, continue to allow the practice to persist.
The Role of Parents and Guardians
Parents and guardians play a central role in protecting girls from FGM. Awareness of the health risks, legal consequences, and human rights implications is essential. Families can actively reject the practice, educate children about their rights, and report suspected cases to child protection authorities. Community programs involving parents have been shown to significantly reduce the risk of FGM.
Actions Taken by Authorities
Governments and authorities have taken steps to safeguard girls. These include enacting national FGM laws, establishing school-based education programs, launching public awareness campaigns, and creating child protection units and hotlines. International agencies, including UNICEF and UNFPA, support these efforts with technical assistance, funding, and research to guide interventions.
What More Can Be Done
Stronger protection requires improved coordination between law enforcement, healthcare providers, schools, and community leaders. Sustained investment in local women- and youth-led organizations is critical, as these groups are most effective in challenging harmful norms. Comprehensive education for parents, children, and communities, alongside better data collection and reporting, will help guide and monitor progress.
Looking Ahead to 2030
The 2026 International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM has been observed under the theme, “Towards 2030: No End To FGM Without Sustained Commitment and Investment.” By combining legal enforcement, community engagement, survivor support, and public awareness, the vision of a world free from FGM can be achieved. Awareness can be raised using #Invest2EndFGM and #EndFGM, emphasizing the shared responsibility of governments, families, communities, and international agencies in protecting girls.
