Dear IBP Colleagues,

Please see the message below on behalf of WHO colleagues in regards to the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation. Included are some important updates and resources on upcoming research and other products.

With kind regards,

Nandita

Dear Colleagues,

On International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, I want to take a moment to thank all the colleagues and partner organizations for the ongoing collaboration working towards the abandonment of FGM and ensuring the highest quality care for the millions of women and girls affected by this harmful practice.

When you have a moment, I hope you find these resources and updates useful:

• WHO feature story: In Somalia, health workers and patients are experts in preventing female genital mutilation https://bit.ly/3axIRYS
• WHO international day event page: Preventing FGM and providing healthcare during COVID-19 and beyond http://bit.ly/3rj2R8c  
• Highlighting the role of health care providers as opinion leaders in FGM prevention  http://bit.ly/3jj79cQ
• FGM hurts women and economies: FGM cost calculator srhr.org/fgmcost and http://bit.ly/2OuO3T8 (2020)
• Check the FGM landing page for updates, tools, guidance, infographics and more http://bit.ly/3b9svFr
• Study protocol published for multi-country study described in the news story above: http://bit.ly/3aqPkEI

Stay tuned for further updates in 2021 as we launch:

• a training package for health workers on person-centered communication for FGM prevention
• a web-based Toolkit for developing and implementing health sector activities

With thanks and best wishes for 2021.

Kind regards,

Christina