Female genital mutilation (FGM) refers to all procedures involving partial or total removal of the female external genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. It is most often carried out on young girls between infancy and age 15. In every form in which it is practiced, FGM is a violation of girls’ and women’s fundamental human rights, including their rights to health, security and dignity.
In Sierra Leone an estimated 86% of women undergo FGM with significant consequences during childbirth. As you may fully understand we cannot be successful in our fight against maternal mortality without tackling FGM.
Today marks the the International day for Zero tolerance for FGM.
To learn more kindly watch the video below that was made after speaking to survivors of the procedure in Sierra Leone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZIa1bH7CY
To get involved with Freedom Tree and our work in helping END female genital mutilation, please visit: https://www.freedomtree.ca/get-involved/donate