Three federal agencies, The Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center (HRVWC), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the FBI’s International Human Rights Unit (IHRU) all joined in on the recognition of February 6 as the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation.
Female Genital Mutilation, or FGM, refers to procedures that maim female genitals for non-medical reasons. FGM occurs worldwide, including here in the states, where it is estimated by the Center for Disease Control that 50,000 women are either victims or at risk of becoming victims. FGM span across geography, religion, and socioeconomic class.
"The FBI stands with our partners in acknowledging this International Day of Zero Tolerance in support of the victims of this horrendous crime,” said Luis Queada, Assistant Director of the FBI's Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division. “We reaffirm our commitment to protecting young women and girls by bringing to justice those who violate this vulnerable group.”
Federal agencies have taken many initiatives to protect women and girls who have been either been exposed or are at risk of female genital mutilation.
One such initiative is carried out by ICE's Homeland Security Investigations unit, which informs international airport travelers of the dangers of FGM.
In 2013 congress signed a law that forbade transporting a person from the United States for the purpose of FGM.
Any person suspected of FGM, including sending girls overseas for the procedure, may be investigated and prosecuted accordingly.
