International day against female genital mutilation

Tel Aviv, Israel, 19-20 May 2005

Declaration

The Inter African Committee on Traditional Practises has declared the 6th of February ‘International Female Genital Mutilation Zero Tolerance Day’.

The designation by the United Nations of such day would be an opportunity to make the general public sensitive and aware of this severe violation of women’s human rights and thus promote the total eradication of this harmful practice through national legislation.

Socialist International Women therefore calls upon its member organisations to:

• support an appeal to the United Nations for the designation of February 6 as International Day against Female Genital Mutilation and
• call on national governments and parliaments in cooperation with women’s organisations, NGOs and concerned international organisations, to actively support this proposal through firm legislative measures designed to forbid such practise and protect potential victims.