06/02/2026 (Agence Europe) – To mark the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation on Friday 6 February, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas, Commission Executive Vice-President Roxana Mînzatu and Commissioner Hadja Lahbib reaffirmed, in a statement issued the day before, the European Union’s commitment to eradicating these practices, which they described as a “grave violation of human rights” and a “tool of control and oppression”. According to figures provided by the European Commission, more than 200 million women and girls are affected worldwide, including at least 600,000 in Europe. The European leaders therefore reiterated the need for coordinated action at global, national and local levels, and pledged the EU’s commitment to guaranteeing every woman and girl a free, safe and dignified life. See the declaration: https://aeur.eu/f/kmd (NP)