Zero Tolerance for FGM: The Role of Nurses in Ending Female Genital Mutilation

Introduction

Every year, the international community observes the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), highlighting the urgent need to end this harmful practice. According to the United Nations, over 200 million girls and women alive today have undergone FGM, with millions more at risk each year. FGM is recognized globally as a violation of human rights and a serious public health issue that requires coordinated action from governments, healthcare professionals, and communities.

What is Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)?

FGM refers to all procedures that involve the partial or total removal of external female genitalia for non-medical reasons. The practice is often carried out due to cultural, social, or traditional beliefs, but it has no health benefits and can cause severe short- and long-term complications.

Health consequences include, severe pain and bleeding, infection and sepsis, complications during childbirth and long-term psychological trauma.

Learn more on the WHO fact sheet on Female Genital Mutialtion

Global Efforts to Eliminate FGM

Organizations such as the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and the International Council of Nurses are actively working to eliminate FGM worldwide. These efforts include policy development and legislation, community education and awareness campaign, support services for survivors and integration of FGM prevention into healthcare systems

T push to end FGM is also directly linked to the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 5 (Gender Equality), which is discussed in our article on Role of Nurses in Achieving Sustainable Development Goals.

The Role of Nurses and Healthcare Professionals

Nurses play a critical role in both preventing FGM and caring for survivors. Patient-centered care is essential in managing trauma and improving recovery outcomes. As frontline healthcare providers, they are often the first point of contact for affected women and girls and should  be:

• Providing culturally sensitive education to communities
• Identifying and supporting at-risk individuals
• Managing complications from FGM
• Offering psychological and emotional support

Addressing Cultural Sensitivity Without Compromise

While healthcare providers must respect cultural diversity, harmful practices such as FGM cannot be justified under cultural traditions. The International Council of Nurses strongly opposes FGM and any attempts to “medicalize” it.

Nurses must balance cultural sensitivity with ethical responsibility, ensuring that patient care does not support practices that cause harm. This is also reflected in our article on Nurse-Patient Relationship, where trust and communication are essential in addressing sensitive issues.

Prevention Through Education and Community Engagement

Ending FGM requires strong community involvement. Nurses and public health workers play a key role in educating families and communities, promoting women's rights and health awareness, supporting behaviour change initiatives, and collaborating with local leaders and organizations

Community-based interventions have proven to be effective in reducing the prevalence of FGM and protecting future generations.

A Global Commitment to Zero Tolerance

Although progress has been made, FGM remains a significant global challenge. Continued efforts are needed to strengthen laws, improve education, and expand healthcare support systems.

Nurses, as advocates for patient safety and human rights, must continue to lead in this fight. By combining clinical care with education and advocacy, they contribute to a future where no girl or woman is subjected to this harmful practice.