Female Genital Mutilation

A Global Issue Beyond Cultural or Religious Boundaries

More than 230 million girls and women are living with the consequences of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), according to the latest UNICEF estimate—an increase of about 30 million since 2016. The figure underscores the urgency of ending the practice.

FGM refers to any non‑medical procedure in which external female genitalia are partially or totally removed or otherwise injured. Most procedures are carried out in childhood: UNICEF’s 2024 data indicate that the majority take place between the ages of five and fourteen, with some countries reporting incidents in infancy or shortly before marriage. The median age ranges from just a few months to 15 years, depending on local traditions. The most common forms include clitoridectomy, partial or full removal of the labia minora, and infibulation, where the labia are stitched together. Regardless of the method, survivors face acute pain, infections, life‑threatening complications during pregnancy and childbirth, as well as long‑term effects such as sexual dysfunction and psychological trauma.

The distribution of FGM is uneven. Approximately 144 million cases are recorded in Africa, about 80 million in Asia and roughly six million in the Middle East. Another one to two million affected women live in smaller communities elsewhere in the world. These numbers make clear that FGM is neither an exclusively African nor a single‑religion phenomenon.

Studies have documented the practice in Christian, animist and traditional groups. In Ethiopia’s Somali Region, nearly 20 per cent of surveyed Orthodox Christian schoolgirls reported being cut. No major world religion mandates FGM; local customs, patriarchal structures and social pressure are the decisive factors.

Across Europe, North America and Australia, a small minority within migrant and refugee communities still faces a risk of FGM – often during visits to countries of origin – while most families firmly reject the practice (see EIGE 2021 and Salah et al. 2024). Culturally sensitive outreach combined with robust child‑protection protocols helps safeguard girls without fuelling anti‑migrant narratives.

Experts cite several reasons for the persistence of FGM: control of female sexuality, the quest for social acceptance, misinterpreted religious commands and the belief that the procedure improves marriage prospects. As long as these norms remain unchallenged, the practice can continue despite legal bans.

Legal progress is nevertheless visible. More than 40 states now explicitly prohibit FGM. Kenya has reduced prevalence from 37 per cent in the late 1990s to 15 per cent today; Egypt shows similar declines. Successful programmes involve entire communities, enlist religious and traditional leaders and promote alternative coming‑of‑age rituals that avoid bodily harm. Population growth and armed conflict in high‑prevalence countries, however, slow global progress.

Medical professionals play a pivotal role. They can treat physical and psychological consequences, inform patients and families about risks and legal frameworks, and report threats to minors. At the same time, they must ensure that so‑called medically performed cutting is not seen as a harmless alternative but recognised as a violation of human rights.

Individuals, institutions and policymakers can support the fight against FGM by funding and facilitating initiatives such as the joint UNFPA‑UNICEF Programme, sharing reliable information and enforcing existing laws.

Comprehensive data and guidance are available from the UNICEF Data Portal, the WHO Clinical Handbook on FGM and the NGO Equality Now.