On the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, UNICEF is once again drawing attention to the consequences of this practice and the growing urgency to provide better protection for children around the world. Statement by Bettina Junker, CEO UNICEF Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
“Female genital mutilation infringes the right of girls to bodily integrity, health and self-determination. It causes severe and lifelong damage to physical and mental health. Globally, more than 230 million women and girls are affected. Every single fate represents an act of violence that may never be qualified or culturally warranted.
This practice goes hand in hand with acute medical complications, including severe bleeding, infection and shock conditions. UN organizations like WHO and UNICEF have been warning for many years that these risks can lead to fatal outcomes in severe cases.
In the past weeks an article by international scientists sparked a debate in which female genital mutilation is being partially downplayed. While scientific discussion is legitimate, it must not mean that violence against children is qualified or human rights standards are weakened. UNICEF has always advocated for female genital mutilation to be explicitly named for what it is: a form of gender-based violence against children.
Today makes it clear that violence against girls is intolerable in all shapes and forms and that children have a right to protection, regardless of where they are born or in what context they live – including in situations of armed conflict.
Across the globe, armed conflicts are on the rise. Over 473 million children live in conflict zones where they are killed, injured, driven out, recruited or deprived of education. Healthcare systems are collapsing, protective mechanisms are being removed, and the risk of abuse and exploitation is increasing, in particular for girls.
This reality underscores the urgent need for legal and institutional structures, long-term preventive measures and political will to ensure effective protection for children. UNICEF is appealing to the international community to uphold international humanitarian law consistently, protect children effectively and ensure access to life-saving assistance. Violence against children is non-negotiable.
Zero tolerance means taking a stand. Never quit, for every girl, for every child, everywhere in the world.”