For far too long, female genital mutilation (FGM) remained a well-kept secret, a taboo, a subject never to be discussed. The practice of cutting the external female genitalia was something that many people didn’t know was taking place in their own communities. Campaigners banged on doors for decades and were ignored. In some cases, even those affected by FGM either did not know they had undergone the procedure or did not know that the practice they had endured had a name.

Yet, it was incredibly widespread. In fact, the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that more than 200 million girls and women alive today have undergone the harmful practice, leaving many living with its long-term impacts.

FGM is a form of gender-based violence and a violation of human rights that negatively impacts women and girls’ bodily autonomy by taking away their right to choose. It can also cause severe bleeding and infections, as well as complications in childbirth and increased risk of newborn deaths.

For years, however, the practice thrived in a culture of taboo, meaning that the girls, women, and communities affected by it largely did not discuss it or speak of its physical or psychological consequences.

In the early 90s, not a lot was understood about FGM, including misconceptions about where and why it took place, making tackling it even harder. However, the practice has become an international human rights concern, with the largest global awareness campaign being established in 2008, and in 2012 the United Nations General Assembly officially designating Feb. 6 as International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation.

With this increased focus came greater understanding of how the reasons why FGM is carried out differ from country to country, from psychosexual reasons — where it is performed to control a woman’s sexuality or to ensure virginity before marriage — to social and cultural factors — where it is considered a rite of passage or initiation into womanhood, according to the UNFPA.

But as important as it is to recognise the work that still needs to be done, it’s just as important to recognise the real milestones that have been reached and the work of grassroots organisations and activists to eradicate FGM for good. Here are eight things we should be celebrating, and a reminder to keep up the fight to put an end to FGM once and for all.

  1. 51 countries have specifically prohibited the practice. 
  2. Today, a girl is one third less likely to undergo FGM than 30 years ago.
  3. Over 6 million women and girls have received FGM protection and care services.
  4. There has been an increase in opposition to FGM among men and boys.
  5. More communities are publicly pledging to commit to eradicating FGM.
  6. Grassroots initiatives are leading the way.
  7. February 6 was designated as International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM. 
  8. Survivors are speaking out and leading the movement to end FGM.

Read the full article about female genital mutilation by Fadeke Banjo at Global Citizen.