What: International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation.  

When: 6^th February 2026, 2:00-3:30 PM

Where: Virtual: Register using this Link below: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_MNP539zhS1qH5nQjfSyQ4w

Who:   

• AUC Commissioner for HHS
• UNFPA
• Republic of Sierra Leone and the Federal Republic of Ethiopia 
• Youth advocate - Survivor and CSO
• Saleema Youth Ambassadors Success Stories

WHY: Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) remains a serious violation of the human rights, health, and dignity of girls and women. In keeping with the African Union’s commitment to Agenda 2063, the African Union Commission, through the Department of Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development (HHS), under the theme “Towards 2030: No End to FGM without Sustained Commitment and Investment,” The event will bring together stakeholders to strengthen political commitment, highlight local progress and good practices, reflect on emerging challenges that continue to hinder the elimination of FGM across the continent, and recognize the leadership and voices of survivors and young people. Continues to lead the continent-wide Saleema Initiative to eliminate FGM by 2030. The theme for this year reflects the reality that ending FGM by 2030 will only be possible if political will is matched with sustained funding and long-term engagement at the community level.

OBJECTIVES

The event aims to strengthen political commitment and sustained investment towards ending FGM by 2030 in line with Agenda 2063, while sharing progress, addressing emerging challenges, and amplifying the voices and leadership of survivors and youth across the continent.

1. Reaffirm the commitment of AU Member States to the Maputo Protocol and the Saleema Initiative.
2. Showcase innovative, youth-led, and FGM survivor interventions that have successfully shifted social norms in rural areas.
3. Advocate for increased domestic funding within national budgets for FGM interventions
4. Share progress on the AU Accountability Framework for the elimination of harmful practices.

Expected Outcomes

• Strengthened Political commitment and funding by Member States to accelerate actions to end FGM by 2030
• Amplified voice and innovative actions of the Saleema youth Ambassadors and FGM survivors as agents of change
• A post-event communique summarizing the strategic roadmap for 2026-2030.

Expected Participants

This event will bring together approximately 200 participants, including:

• AU Member State Representatives (Ministries of Health, Gender, and Justice).
• Regional Economic Communities (RECs).
• Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Women’s Rights Groups.
• Youth Advocates and Traditional/Religious Leaders.
• FGM survivors
• UN Agencies and Development partners (UNFPA, UNICEF, WHO).

Format

• This event will be virtual, for 2 hours of an interactive session being organized by the African Union Department of Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development. 
• There will be simultaneous interpretation in English and French.

For further information, please contact:

Dr. Olubusayo Akinola | Head of Social Welfare, Drug Control and Crime Prevention - African Union Commission | E-mail: AkinolaO@africanunion.org,  cc: Thundun@africa-union.org MumbaT@africanunion.org  StellaS@africanunion.org  richardwamimbi@gmail.com | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

For media Enquiries, please contact:

Godstime Gaius Information and Communication Directorate | African Union Commission | E-mail: GaiusG@africanunion.org | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Ms. Janet Faith Ochieng| Information and Communication Directorate | African Union Commission | E-mail:  OchiengJ@africanunion.org | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia