Thread by @WHO

Today is the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

FGM is an extreme form of discrimination against women, violates human rights, and has NO health benefits.

It must be prevented: #EndFGM!

👉 bit.ly/3oTYZsY

At least 2⃣0⃣0⃣ MILLION women & girls alive today have experienced female genital mutilation (FGM).

Immediate complications of FGM include:
♦️ excessive bleeding
♦️ severe pain
♦️ problems urinating
♦️ infections
♦️ death

👉 bit.ly/3tl7G2J

Let's #EndFGM!

👩 & 👧 living with female genital mutilation can face serious & lifelong threats to their health & well-being, incl.:
♦️ mental health
♦️ sexual health
♦️ recurrent infections
♦️ psychological trauma
♦️ complications during childbirth
♦️ chronic health conditions

Let's #EndFGM

An inspiring story about health workers in Somalia 🇸🇴, who, empowered with cultural, medical and psychosocial knowledge, are helping to #endFGM in their communities:
👉 bit.ly/3axIRYS

Female genital mutilation not only exacts a crippling human cost, it also takes a high economic toll, amounting to US$1.4 billion annually. FGM hurts girls, imposes lifelong health risks, & strains the healthcare systems that need to treat them

👉 bit.ly/3tyPCT5
#EndFGM

WHO strongly opposes the medicalization of female genital mutilation & urges health professionals not to undertake such procedures. This is how healthcare workers can be empowered to prevent FGM:
👉 bit.ly/3jj79cQ

Let's #EndFGM!

Health workers need to know how to treat the health conditions that may affect women 👩 & girls 👧 living with female genital mutilation. They can play a crucial role to help.

Let’s #EndFGM!

👉 bit.ly/2ufQjVy

Person-centred communication is a 🔑 component of quality healthcare and human rights. It can help #EndFGM and ensure effective care for survivors.

👉 bit.ly/3axIRYS

26 countries in Africa & the Middle East, & 33 other countries now legislate against female genital mutilation. A big step to #EndFGM around the 🌎🌍🌏

bit.ly/2ufQjVy

Great efforts have been made to #EndFGM, through research, work within communities, & changes in public policy, resulting in:
✅ the prevalence of FGM ↘️ in most countries
✅ an ↗️ number of 👩& 👨 in practising communities support ending the practice

👉 bit.ly/2ufQjVy

The pandemic may be increasing girls’ and women’s risk of undergoing female genital mutilation. Health workers should use #COVID19 safety measures while working to #EndFGM:
bit.ly/3rj2R8c