The International Day of Zero Tolerance for female genital mutilation (FGM), has been observed in Amsterdam on 6 February 2025 as this year’s topic was “How do we stand Strong Together in the FGM network”? This event was organized by FSAN, Platform 6/2 and GGD Amsterdam, and was supported financially and facilitated by the municipality of Amsterdam.
More than 130 people has shown up in the event including professionals from health institutions, officials from local organizations, legal experts and key figures for the anti-FGM campaign from countries in which girl circumcision are practised.
Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema, who attended the event, briefly gave her speech at the session, showing her sadness over thousands of girls in the Netherlands who had been cut and experienced through hardships and living with trauma and health problems. She also expressed her support and gratitude to organizations that are still engaged in the fight against female genital mutilation, such as FSAN and Pharos.
During the event, the topics discussed included the need for research on the issues related to the continued practice of female genital mutilation and how to stop it.
The most appropriate way for health professionals and awareness-raising groups to work together to prevent female genital mutilation was also discussed. The discussion also included how to provide health care to women who have been subjected to female genital mutilation.
Finally, Zahra Naleye, Head of Social Affairs at FSAN, briefly explained the day and how everyone participated, saying that this year the focus was on working together to combat female genital mutilation.