UNICEF Press release

UNICEF Calls on Governments to Honour Commitment to End the Discriminatory
and Harmful Practice

NEW YORK, 6 February 2005 ? UNICEF today reiterated its call on
governments to move swiftly to stop the harmful practice of female genital
mutilation and cutting.

?Female genital mutilation and cutting is a violation of the basic rights
of women and girls,? UNICEF Executive Director Carol Bellamy said Friday,
speaking on the eve of the International Day of Zero Tolerance of Female
Genital Mutilation. ?It is a dangerous and irreversible procedure that
negatively impacts the general health, child-bearing capabilities and
educational opportunities of girls and women.?

More than 130 million women and girls have undergone female genital
mutilation and cutting (FGM/C), a practice that occurs in countries
ranging from Senegal and Mali to Yemen and Oman. FGM/C is also being
performed in some parts of southeast Asia and reports from Europe, North
America, and Australia show the prevalence of the practice among immigrant
communities.

Bellamy said that ending all forms of FGM/C is crucial to the success of
two of the Millennium Development Goals: improving maternal health and
promoting gender equality. She reiterated UNICEF?s call on governments to
abide by commitments to abandon the practice. The 2002 UN Special Session
on Children, endorsed by 69 heads of states and government and 190 high
level national delegations, set a goal to end female genital mutilation
and cutting by the year 2010.

UNICEF believes that in order to end the practice, nations must build a
protective environment for children ? not only through education but also
as part of overall economic and social development work. Comprehensive,
culturally sensitive approaches are needed to address and begin to change
community attitudes toward FGM/C, a deeply- rooted tradition that in many
societies is believed to be a religious obligation.

Bellamy acknowledged the generous contribution of the Italian Government
of 1.8 million Euro ? received in 2004 - which will be used to strengthen
coordination and partnerships, and to support the FGM/C abandonment
program. The Italian Government contribution will be used at the regional
level where FGM/C is prevalent.