Inter Press Service: A Truly Global Effort is Needed to Eradicate FGM by 2030
Divya Srinivasan, South Asia consultant for Equality Now

“…The United Nations, which designated 6th February as the International Day of Zero Tolerance for [Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)] in 2003, has so far failed to dedicate adequate funds to eradicate FGM at a global level, particularly in Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas. … The United Nations is failing in this commitment and needs to fund and pilot anti-FGM efforts in countries where it has not traditionally done so. … We need to learn from the fantastic work being done in Africa, adapt the strategies according to regional and cultural contexts, and implement them in every country where we know FGM is being practiced. Through the SDGs, activists and countries have made strong public commitments to ending FGM throughout the world by 2030. To achieve this goal, political commitments must now be put into action fully by accelerating and globalizing efforts, collecting and circulating reliable data, and providing the proper funding needed to eradicate FGM once and for all” (2/6).

The Hill: We must work to end female genital mutilation in the United States and around the world
Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.)

“…[Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C)] has absolutely no place in America — or anywhere else in the world for that matter. It’s an unconscionable, systematic form of abuse and subjugation perpetuated against the youngest and most vulnerable among us. … I’m offering three bipartisan-supported proposals in the House of Representatives that work within federal government’s jurisdiction to combat FGM/C: 1) a resolution to condemn FGM/C and call upon the international community to stop it; 2) legislation to criminalize crossing state lines for the purpose of FGM/C. … 3) a bill to open up federal grants to assist survivors of FGM/C. As our society becomes more transient and diverse, it’ll take a coordinated effort to end this reprehensible, subjugating atrocity in the United States and around the world. I look forward to working with the Pennsylvania General Assembly, my colleagues in the Congress, and our partners across the world to accomplish this goal” (2/6).