International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation
WASHINGTON – February 6 marks the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the FBI, and the Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP) of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, all members of the Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center (HRVWCC), join U.S. and foreign government partners, non-governmental organizations, and local communities to call for the eradication of the practice.
The elimination of FGM/C has broad implications for the health and human rights of women and girls, as well as societies at large. This day serves as an opportunity to reflect on victims who have suffered from female genital mutilation/cutting, including many women and girls who have died or suffered lifelong health complications from the practice. The day also renews a global commitment to the health and well-being of all women, girls and communities by eliminating the practice.
Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting as a Serious Human Rights Violation
Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is a federal crime, and any involvement in committing this crime is a serious human rights violation, which may result in imprisonment and potential removal from the United States. Individuals suspected of FGM/C, including sending girls overseas to be cut, may be investigated by the HRVWCC and prosecuted accordingly. In 2017, the HRVWCC initiated Operation Limelight USA, a program designed to bring awareness of FGM/C to passengers flying to countries where FGM/C is prevalent, to identify potential victims and perpetrators of FGM and to deter its practice. Since June 2017, ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in partnership with non-governmental organizations, FBI, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and others have conducted outreach operations at 18 U.S. airports and have engaged with nearly 4,000 passengers on 168 flights.
“Female genital mutilation is an affront to the human rights of women and girls throughout the world,” said Mark Shaffer, Chief of ICE’s Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center. “Ending this practice will require continued cooperation and creativity of governments, partner organizations, and communities.”
“Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting is a significant threat targeting women in our communities and around the world. The FBI is committed to identifying and investigating the human rights violators who perpetrate this heinous crime,” said Acting Unit Chief Tyrone Lara of the FBI International Human Rights Unit. “We are also dedicated to working with our domestic and international partners to bring perpetrators to justice and put an end to this practice worldwide.”
Global Scope of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting
FGM/C prevalence is primarily concentrated in 30 countries in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, but also occurs in parts of Western Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand. It is global in scope and found in multiple geographies, religions, and socioeconomic classes.
Reporting Suspected Cases
Anyone who has information about an individual who is suspected of assisting in this crime is urged to call the toll-free ICE tip line at (866) 347-2423 or complete the ICE online tip form or the FBI online tip form. All are staffed around the clock, and tips may be provided anonymously.
Additional Resources
For more information about the practice of female genital mutilation/cutting, view this Fact Sheet on FGM/C from the U.S. Department of State or visit the United Nations’ Zero Tolerance Day website.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being | Indicator not mentioned in the article |
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | Target 5.3: Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation | Indicator not mentioned in the article |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies, and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies, and action in this regard | Indicator not mentioned in the article |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all | Indicator not mentioned in the article |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 5: Gender Equality
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
The article discusses the issue of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), which is connected to several Sustainable Development Goals. It highlights the importance of good health and well-being (SDG 3) for women and girls who have suffered from FGM/C. It also addresses gender equality (SDG 5) by calling for the elimination of this harmful practice that specifically targets women. The article mentions the involvement of law enforcement agencies and the justice system, indicating a connection to SDG 16, which focuses on peace, justice, and strong institutions. Lastly, the article touches upon the issue of reduced inequalities (SDG 10) by emphasizing the need to eliminate discriminatory practices and promote equal opportunity.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being
- Target 5.3: Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation
- Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies, and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies, and action in this regard
- Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all
Based on the article’s content, the specific targets that can be identified are as follows:
– Target 3.4 aims to reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases and promote mental health and well-being. While the article does not provide specific indicators related to this target, it highlights the health implications and lifelong complications suffered by women and girls who have undergone FGM/C.
– Target 5.3 focuses on eliminating harmful practices, including FGM/C. The article explicitly mentions FGM/C as a serious human rights violation and emphasizes the need for its eradication.
– Target 10.3 aims to ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome. The article highlights the importance of eliminating discriminatory practices and promoting legislation and policies to address FGM/C.
– Target 16.3 promotes the rule of law and equal access to justice. The article mentions the involvement of law enforcement agencies and the justice system in investigating and prosecuting individuals involved in FGM/C.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
No specific indicators related to the identified targets are mentioned or implied in the article. However, progress towards these targets can be measured using indicators such as:
– Number of reported cases of FGM/C and prosecutions related to this practice (Target 5.3)
– Existence and enforcement of legislation and policies addressing FGM/C (Target 10.3)
– Access to justice for victims of FGM/C and successful prosecution of perpetrators (Target 16.3)
These indicators would provide insights into the progress made in eliminating FGM/C, promoting gender equality, reducing inequalities, and ensuring access to justice.
4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being | Indicator not mentioned in the article |
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | Target 5.3: Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation | Indicator not mentioned in the article |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies, and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies, and action in this regard | Indicator not mentioned in the article |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all | Indicator not mentioned in the article |
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Fuente: ice.gov
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