International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation2026 · Date · History · Messages · Quotes
A/RES/67/146
About International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation
The International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation is observed on 6 February to support efforts to end female genital mutilation and protect the health, dignity and rights of girls and women.
WHO records trace the day to an international conference in Addis Ababa in February 2003; the UN General Assembly later called for continued observance in its 2012 resolution on eliminating FGM.
Why International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation matters
FGM is a human-rights and health issue. Awareness activity should be survivor-centered, culturally careful and non-stigmatizing, and should avoid graphic descriptions or language that blames affected girls, women or communities.
People seeking medical, safeguarding or legal support need qualified and locally appropriate services; a public-awareness guide cannot replace professional care.
History of International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation
WHO Africa states that the International Day of Zero Tolerance to FGM was adopted at the International Conference on Zero Tolerance to FGM held in Addis Ababa in February 2003 and organized by the Inter-African Committee on Traditional Practices Affecting the Health of Women and Children.
UN documentation records 6 February 2003 as the first commemoration. On 20 December 2012, the General Assembly adopted A/RES/67/146 on intensifying global efforts for the elimination of FGM and called for continued observance of 6 February.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
International Conference on Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation, Addis Ababa
WHO Africa states that the international day was adopted at this conference in February 2003.
First documented observance
UN documentation records the first International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation on 6 February 2003.
Called on relevant actors to continue observing 6 February as the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation while intensifying global elimination efforts.
United Nations General Assembly · A/RES/67/146
United Nations system, including UNFPA and UNICEF
United Nations observance and programme materials identify UNFPA and UNICEF as central UN actors in the global effort and annual awareness activity.
What the evidence establishes
Confirmed institutional roles and milestones are shown first. Details that could not be established from the reviewed sources are listed separately below.
6 fields not established in reviewed sources
Later institutional actions
Later recognition, renaming, mergers or date changes are kept separate from original establishment.
How to Observe International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation
Use WHO, UNFPA, UNICEF or trusted national sources to learn about prevention, health consequences and rights-based support.
Center the voices and safety of affected women and girls, with consent and without requesting personal disclosure.
Share vetted local health, child-protection and survivor-support resources where appropriate.
Avoid graphic imagery, sensationalism and stereotypes that stigmatize particular ethnic, religious or national groups.
If a child or adult may be at immediate risk, use appropriate local safeguarding or emergency services.
International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation Facts
The international day is observed on 6 February.
WHO traces its adoption to an Addis Ababa conference in February 2003.
The first commemoration is documented in 2003.
The UN General Assembly’s A/RES/67/146 of 2012 called for continued observance of 6 February.
International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation Messages
International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation is a reminder to listen without stigma, share trustworthy information and treat every person with dignity.
On this day, stand with survivors, defend the rights of women and girls, and support efforts to end female genital mutilation.
Marking International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation with care means learning from credible sources and making space for the voices and experiences of people most affected.
Today, may International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation turn attention into informed action, empathy and support that lasts beyond a single day.
On International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation, may awareness be matched by compassion, reliable information and practical support for people directly affected.
International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation Quotes
“Female genital mutilation is a violation of human rights and cannot be justified on any grounds.”
Topic and context
What this page does not assume
- Keep the source-defined country, community, organizer or institutional scope; do not silently broaden it.
- Do not treat the title alone as proof of government recognition or public-holiday status.
- Do not add a creator, founding story or origin claim unless the supporting evidence establishes it.
- Health Information Not Medical Advice.
Evidence & sources
Sources used across the guide are gathered here. Labels show how each source supports the page, and contextual references are kept separate from primary evidence.
United Nations General Assembly — A/RES/67/146 (opens in a new tab)
WHO Regional Office for Africa — 6 February observance history (opens in a new tab)
United Nations — International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation (opens in a new tab)
Dedicated Authoritative Page
Understand it, compare it, then explore further
Start with the most common factual questions, then compare closely related observances and explore useful connections.
Frequently asked questions
When is International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation?
6 February The documented recurrence rule is: 6 February.
Does International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation fall on the same date every year?
Yes. It uses a fixed annual date unless stronger evidence changes the pattern.
Is International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: United Nations / international observance. That recognition does not by itself make it a statutory public holiday; the site only makes public-holiday claims when reliable evidence explicitly does so.
Who established or recognizes International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation?
The reviewed sources identify International Conference on Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation, Addis Ababa as the proclaiming or establishing body. Current facilitation or coordination is recorded as United Nations system, including UNFPA and UNICEF.
Is International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation international or country-specific?
The documented scope is international or global: United Nations / international observance. That does not mean every country treats the date as a public holiday or observes it in the same way.
How is this page verified?
The factual information is checked against reviewed sources, including the date pattern, scope and institutional history. This page was checked on 2026-09-07.
When is the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation?
It is observed every year on 6 February.
When did the observance begin?
WHO records that the day was adopted at an international conference in Addis Ababa in February 2003, and UN documentation records the first commemoration in 2003.
Did the UN General Assembly create it in 2012?
No. The observance predates 2012; the General Assembly’s 2012 resolution called for continued observance while addressing global efforts to eliminate FGM.
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