WEST AFRICAN CIVIL SOCIETY FORUM (WACSOF) STATEMENT ON THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF ZERO TOLERANCE FOR FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION (FGM) – 6 FEBRUARY 2025

Theme: Stepping Up the Pace: Strengthening Alliances and Building Movements to End Female Genital Mutilation. The West African Civil Society Forum (WACSOF) joins the global community in marking the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the eradication of this harmful practice. FGM remains a grave violation of human rights, disproportionately affecting women and girls across West Africa, with severe physical, psychological, and socio-economic consequences. The Urgency for Action in West Africa. Despite decades of advocacy and policy efforts, FGM persists in many parts of the region due to deep-rooted cultural traditions, social pressures, and gender inequality. Countries like Mali, Guinea, Sierra Leone, and parts of Nigeria still record high prevalence rates, while enforcement of anti-FGM laws remains weak in several others. To truly step up the pace, West Africa must intensify coordinated efforts across governments, civil society, and communities. Strengthening Alliances and Building Movements. WACSOF calls for:

Regional Collaboration: ECOWAS and member states must strengthen cross- border cooperation to combat FGM, recognizing its transnational nature and the need for harmonized legal frameworks.

Civil Society Engagement: Local organizations and activists must be empowered with funding, resources, and legal backing to drive grassroots change.

Community-Led Solutions: Traditional and religious leaders, women’s groups, and youth movements should be engaged as key agents of change to shift social norms.

Legal Enforcement and Protection: Governments must fully implement and enforce anti-FGM laws, ensuring accountability for perpetrators and protection for survivors.

Education and Awareness: Schools, media, and digital platforms must be leveraged to educate communities about the dangers of FGM and promote alternative rites of passage. A Call to Action. Ending FGM is not just a women’s issue—it is a human rights imperative that demands collective action. WACSOF urges all stakeholders to move beyond rhetoric and take bold, coordinated steps toward eliminating FGM in West Africa. The time to act is now. #EndFGM #ZeroToleranceForFGM #WestAfricaAgainstFGM

WEST AFRICAN CIVIL SOCIETY FORUM (WACSOF) STATEMENT ON THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF ZERO TOLERANCE FOR FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION (FGM) – 6 FEBRUARY 2025

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