Message of the WUCWO President, María Lía Zervino

on the occasion of the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

Chain of women embracing against female genital mutilation

Girls between the ages of 4 and 14 are the main victims of this aberrant practice. According to the latest UN report, more than 4 million girls are at risk of female genital mutilation in 30 countries in 2020.

Today, on the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), on behalf of the World Union of Catholic Women's Organisations (WUCWO), I raise my voice to call on: mothers, grandmothers, aunts, educators, politicians, media professionals and all women of good will, particularly those of faith, to join forces and resources to form a chain of women embracing against FGM.

This scourge, which attacks the dignity of women and their physical and psychological health, violates their rights and degrades the integrity of the victims, must be completely eliminated from our world, and we are jointly responsible for its prevention and eradication. Together we will do it!