The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP) in collaboration with UNFPA Ghana have marked the 2026 International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in the Upper West Region.
The event, under the theme, “Towards 2030: No End to Female Genital Mutilation without Sustained Commitment and Investment” aimed to raise awareness about FGM risks, amplify youth voices against the practice, engage policymakers and stakeholders to reinforce political will, and support implementation of laws and policies to eliminate FGM.
Delivering the keynote address, Director of the Domestic Violence Secretariat, Madam Melonin Asibi emphasised the need to intensify efforts to end FGM, a gross violation of women and girls’ rights.
She called on stakeholders and community leaders to take action, stating that ending FGM is a moral, legal, and developmental necessity.
The Chief Director for the Upper West Regional Coordinating Council, Hajia PogNaa Fati Issaka Korey, stressed that FGM is a developmental setback affecting families and communities, not just a cultural issue.
UNFPA representative Madam Selina Owusu pledged continued support to strengthen community monitoring and integrate FGM prevention into health and education services.
The event featured talks, survivor testimonies, cultural performances, and exhibitions showcasing community-led initiatives promoting alternative rites of passage.
