February 6 is the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation.

In 1997, the World Health Organization, the United Nations Children's Fund, and the United Nations Population Fund issued a joint statement against female genital mutilation.

With the support of wider United Nations agencies, a new statement was issued in February 2008, setting February 6 each year as the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation to protect the rights of girls and women.

Extended information: The International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation is held annually to raise awareness of the practice.

Female genital mutilation of any kind is recognized as a harmful practice that violates the human rights of girls and women.

WHO works to eliminate female genital mutilation within a generation, focusing on advocacy and research and guiding health professionals and health systems in their activities.

Female genital mutilation has no known health benefits; on the contrary, it carries a range of short- and long-term risks in terms of physical, psychological, sexual hygiene and well-being.