International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)- ICN Fact Sheet

Today is set out to mark Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) .According to the United Nations, an estimated 125 million girls and women alive today have suffered from FGM.  ICN believes that competent, knowledgeable and culturally sensitive nurses and other healthcare providers are essential to fight harmful cultural practices including FGM. They are also essential in the care and support of women and girls who suffer from the dire consequences of the procedure.  ICN is unequivocal in its position of actively opposing FGM and any move to ‘medicalise’ it. While we urge nurses and other health care providers to be respectful of the culture of the community in which they practice, it must be clear that cultural arguments cannot be acceptable to cause harm and violation of human rights, which FGM clearly does. For more information click here to download the PDF copy of the fact sheet.