The fight against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) took center stage on Thursday at the United Nations headquarters in New York, where Italy, in collaboration with Burkina Faso and Djibouti, convened a high-level conference on the sidelines of CSW69 to reaffirm its enduring commitment to eliminating this grave violation of human rights. The event, co-organized with the UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme on the Elimination of FGM and the Girl Generation initiative, brought together global leaders and policymakers in a collective call to accelerate efforts against this harmful practice.
Opening the event, Italy’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Maurizio Massari, delivered a compelling speech emphasizing that FGM represents “an assault on dignity, an unforgivable wound inflicted every year on millions of women and girls.” He reaffirmed Italy’s unwavering commitment to eradicating this practice, both nationally and internationally, calling it “a test of our collective humanity.”
The conference featured speeches from several high-profile participants, including Burkina Faso’s Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Major Passowende Pelagie Kabore; Uganda’s Minister for Gender and Culture, Peace Regis Mutuuzo; Egypt’s Ministerial Advisor for Gender Policies, Amal Amar; Canada’s Assistant Deputy Minister for Global Affairs, Patricia Peña; UNFPA Deputy Executive Director, Diene Keita; and UNICEF Deputy Executive Director, Hannan Sulieman.
Italy has long been a pioneer in the international fight against FGM, with its roots tracing back to the efforts of former European Commissioner for Human Rights and later Foreign Minister, Emma Bonino. Under her leadership, Italy became one of the first nations to promote the global eradication of this practice at the United Nations, an effort that continues today through solid diplomatic and financial initiatives.
Ambassador Massari reiterated Italy’s leadership, highlighting that the country had doubled its financial contribution to the UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme over the past year, mobilizing 4 million euros to strengthen initiatives aimed at eliminating FGM in partner countries. “The Programme is producing important results,” he stated, “and Italy remains determined to ensure that these efforts lead to tangible changes.”
At the national level, Italy has implemented rigorous measures to combat FGM, acknowledging the presence of communities from countries where the practice is still widespread. The adoption of Law No. 7 of 2006 has been instrumental in criminalizing FGM, imposing severe penalties on those who practice or facilitate it. Massari emphasized the importance of vigilance, stating, “We know that we cannot consider ourselves exempt from this phenomenon. Constant monitoring and effective intervention are necessary to ensure that Italy remains a stronghold against this violence.”
Furthermore, he announced an upcoming collaboration with a major Italian university to conduct an assessment of the practice within the country. The study will help develop an “Integrated Communication Plan” aimed at raising awareness and preventing FGM through targeted campaigns.
The speakers at the conference echoed Italy’s sense of urgency in addressing FGM and underscored the necessity of international cooperation. Burkina Faso’s Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Major Passowende Pelagie Kabore, highlighted the crucial role of African nations in implementing grassroots programs to shift cultural perspectives. Uganda’s Minister Peace Regis Mutuuzo emphasized the intersectionality between gender-based violence and the need for sustainable policies to protect young girls.
Egypt’s Ministerial Advisor Amal Amar reinforced the importance of integrating FGM eradication strategies within national education systems, while Canada’s Assistant Deputy Minister Patricia Peña called for increased global funding to support survivor-centered approaches. UNFPA’s Diene Keita and UNICEF’s Hannan Sulieman both stressed that collaborative action with civil society organizations, governments, and international institutions is vital to eliminating FGM by 2030.
A particularly well-received moment during the event was the presentation of a “video poem” by Nigerian artist Hafsat Abdullahi, which powerfully illustrated the personal impact of FGM.
Italy’s leadership in this battle, even under the government of Giorgia Meloni, stands as a testament to its commitment to human rights and the dignity of women and girls worldwide. “We will not waver, we will not turn away, and we will not stop until every girl, everywhere, is free from the threat of FGM,” Massari declared in his closing remarks.
The conference concluded with a renewed global commitment to concrete actions, including increased funding, policy enforcement, and educational campaigns. As Italy continues to support this initiative alongside other countries, the international community stands at a crucial crossroads, where sustained efforts and cooperation will determine whether the goal of eliminating FGM can be achieved by 2030, as mandated by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs), specifically Goal 5, which is dedicated to women’s rights.
