The February 6 is the World Day against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM): an inhuman, violent practice that still affects and devastates, physically and psychologically, many young women. According to WHO estimates, over 200 million girls are involved, including unfortunately many girls, mainly from Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America and among communities from these regions.
It is also estimated that, although illegal in the EU, about 600 thousand women living in Europe have been victims of this practice, and that another 180 thousand are at risk in 13 EU countries, including Italy. A dramatic picture, also connected to the phenomenon of child brides, which every year feeds on new cases.
Faced with the concrete risk that the various dynamics of destabilization, increase in poverty and inequality underway in recent years, could worsen this plague, the Cisl and Anolf reconfirm their commitment to promoting a culture of respect and equal opportunities against all forms of abuse and violence.
We will continue on the path to support information and awareness-raising actions aimed at immigrant women, together with the strengthening and enhancement of our presence in all territorial areas and in the related health facilities. It is a battle of civilization and humanity that we do not want and cannot lose. We need to affirm and concretize the value of solidarity between women and men, as the basis of collective action for the common good.
