Feb. 6, 2012, marks the ninth commemoration of the International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting. An estimated 100 million to 140 million girls and women worldwide have undergone female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), and more than 3 million girls are at risk for cutting each year on the African continent alone. Since its origination in 2003, when the first lady of Nigeria, Mrs. Stella Obasanjo, officially declared "Zero Tolerance to FGM" in Africa, this day has been observed around the world. Commemorating Feb. 6 includes acknowledging the bravery of those who first spoke out against it, and some recent hard-won successes. But the challenges are still overwhelming.
* PowerPoint: "Female Genital Mutilation and Cutting: Telling a Story With Trends"
* Photo Slideshow: "Combating FGM in Villages in Senegal"