New York - United Nations Member States have approved the first-ever draft resolution aimed
at ending the harmful practice of female genital mutilation, in a move hailed by
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon as a major step forward in protecting millions of
women and girls.

The text was approved by consensus on Monday by the General Assembly’s so-called
Third Committee, which deals with social, humanitarian and cultural issues, and
will be acted on by the Assembly next month.

It would have the Assembly urge States to take all measures – including
legislation prohibiting female genital mutilation – to both protect women and
girls and end impunity for this practice.

Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) refers to several different harmful
practices involving the cutting of the female genitals for non-medical reasons.
The UN World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 140 million girls and
women worldwide are currently living with the consequences of FGM.

Speaking at a special event at UN Headquarters today to mark the International
Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, Mr. Ban applauded
the Third Committee for passing its first-ever resolution on ending female
genital mutilation.

“I look forward to the Assembly’s adoption of this resolution, which would mark
a major step forward in protecting women and girls and ending impunity for this
practice,” he stated.

Among other provisions, the text would also have the Assembly designate 6
February as the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital
Mutilation.

Over the past three years, some 8,000 communities across the world, including in
15 African countries, have abandoned the practice, according to the UN
Population Fund (UNFPA). Last year alone 2,000 communities declared that they
will no longer allow the human rights violation to continue.