“Charity Concert against Female Genital Mutilation”

Secretary General Tveit
Distinguished Panellists and Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen:

It is a privilege to be here this evening and to transmit to you the best wishes of the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva, Mr. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who regrets that he cannot be here personally. It is my honour to deliver his message to you:

“It gives me great pleasure to extend my best greetings for this charity concert in support of the global fight against female genital mutilation – FGM.

I welcome the efforts of the Global Alliance against Female Genital Mutilation for organizing tonight’s important event and raising awareness of this grave abuse of girls and women across the world. I also pay tribute to the millions of victims of FGM. We can all be inspired by their courage.

There is evidence to suggest that the practice of FGM appears to be declining slightly. According to UNFPA, over 8,000 communities have over the past three years abandoned the practice. A growing number of States have enacted laws that criminalize FGM.

Information and education programmes implemented by NGOs, with the support of United Nations agencies and other international organizations, have made a difference with culturally-sensitive, human rights-based approaches that support positive values within communities. We must be encouraged that coordinated initiatives at national, regional and international levels are advancing our cause. We need to support these trends, and learn lessons for continued efforts.

But, we cannot afford complacency. FGM remains widespread. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 130 millions to 140 million women and girls have undergone FGM. 6,000 girls or women are subjected to this abuse every day. The average age at which FGM is performed is becoming lower in some countries. Increasingly, medical professionals are involved.

Let us be clear: FGM is harmful for health, in some cases life-threatening, it is deeply traumatizing and represents a human rights violation. It cannot be accepted or tolerated under any circumstances.

The adoption last week in the Third Committee of the General Assembly of a resolution calling for a global ban represents an important step forward in the fight against FGM. It signifies a collective commitment to protecting girls and women across the world.

We need to translate this emerging consensus into real progress for girls and women at risk. We need better research and data collection to support national and international efforts, and we need to fully integrate men in the fight.

Every State has a responsibility to develop and improve laws and policies to eliminate FGM, allocate sufficient funds, create adequate conditions for victims to report incidents, ensure the enforcement of legal frameworks, and end impunity for the practice.

Every international and regional organization has a responsibility to support these efforts, improving knowledge and building capacity at all levels.

And as individuals, we all share a responsibility to speak out against the customs, practices and beliefs that condone or sustain FGM. We have an obligation to help change attitudes and behaviours that underpin the practice.

Raising greater public awareness on FGM is a necessity in these efforts, and I would like to thank once again the Global Alliance against Female Genital Mutilation for their exceptional work in this respect.

As long as practices like FGM continue to exist, gender equality will elude us. Let us work together to make it a reality for all.”

That was the end of the Director-General’s message.

I join him in commending your vitally important work for girls and women across the world.

Your determination and dedication are making a real difference; and this inspires us.

Thank you very much.