Over four million girls still at risk of female genital mutilation: UN leaders call for sustained commitment and investment to end FGM

The urgent global crisis of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) continues to cast a long shadow over the lives of millions of girls and women, with a stark projection indicating that in 2026 alone, an estimated 4.5 million girls are at risk of undergoing this brutal practice. Alarmingly, many of these vulnerable girls are under the tender age of five, highlighting the profound and immediate danger they face. Currently, the devastating legacy of FGM impacts over 230 million girls and women worldwide, who live with its lifelong physical and psychological consequences. This grim reality served as the backdrop for a powerful joint statement issued on the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, a day dedicated to galvanizing global action against this egregious human rights violation. The leaders of key United Nations agencies – UNFPA, UNICEF, UN Human Rights, UN Women, WHO, and UNESCO – collectively reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to eradicate FGM for every girl and woman at risk and pledged to enhance access to quality and appropriate services for survivors.

The Scourge of FGM: A Profound Violation of Human Rights

Female Genital Mutilation, encompassing all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons, is unequivocally a violation of fundamental human rights. It is a practice that can never be justified on any cultural, religious, or social grounds, as it inflicts severe and often irreversible harm. The procedure, typically performed without anaesthesia by traditional circumcisers or, increasingly, by medical professionals in a dangerous trend known as "medicalization," compromises girls’ and women’s physical and mental health in myriad ways. Immediately after the procedure, girls often suffer excruciating pain, haemorrhage, tetanus, sepsis, urine retention, and even death from shock or infection. The long-term consequences are equally devastating, including chronic pain, recurrent urinary and vaginal infections, menstrual problems, scar tissue formation, cysts, infertility, and severe complications during childbirth, such as prolonged labour, excessive bleeding, and increased risk of stillbirth or neonatal death. Beyond the physical trauma, FGM leaves deep psychological scars, leading to anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and sexual dysfunction. The economic burden of treating these lifelong complications is substantial, with global treatment costs estimated at approximately US$1.4 billion every year, diverting critical resources from already strained healthcare systems. This financial strain underscores not only the human cost but also the significant societal impact of perpetuating this harmful practice.

A Timeline of Progress and Persistent Challenges

The global fight against FGM has a complex history, marked by periods of slow progress followed by accelerated gains. While the practice has roots spanning millennia in various cultures, international recognition of FGM as a human rights issue gained significant traction in the latter half of the 20th century. The 1990s witnessed increased advocacy efforts and the inclusion of FGM in international development agendas. Landmark events such as the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Cairo and the 1995 Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing played crucial roles in bringing FGM to the forefront of global discourse. The World Health Organization (WHO) developed classifications for FGM types, aiding in standardized reporting and research.

The 2000s saw a consolidation of these efforts, with the United Nations General Assembly passing resolutions condemning FGM. A significant milestone arrived in 2012 when the UN General Assembly unanimously adopted Resolution A/RES/67/146, designating February 6th as the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation. This day serves as a critical annual rallying point for raising awareness and mobilizing action. Throughout this period, the UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme on FGM, launched in 2008, emerged as a flagship initiative, supporting accelerated programming in 17 countries across Africa and the Middle East where FGM is most prevalent.

In the last decade, there has been a remarkable acceleration in progress against FGM. Data suggests that half of all gains achieved since 1990 were made in the past ten years, leading to a reduction in the proportion of girls subjected to FGM from one in two to one in three. This progress is a testament to sustained community-led interventions, educational campaigns, and the adoption of legal frameworks in numerous countries. For instance, countries like Senegal, Ethiopia, and Kenya have seen significant declines in prevalence rates through comprehensive approaches that involve community dialogues and alternative rites of passage. Today, nearly two-thirds of the population in countries where FGM is prevalent express support for its elimination, indicating a powerful shift in societal attitudes. This momentum is critical as the global community strives to meet the ambitious Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 5.3, which calls for the elimination of all harmful practices, including FGM, by 2030. The journey towards this target, however, remains fraught with challenges, demanding intensified efforts and unwavering commitment.

Proven Strategies and the Economic Imperative

The accumulated experience of three decades has illuminated what truly works in the fight against FGM. A multi-pronged approach rooted in community engagement and empowerment has proven most effective. Health education plays a pivotal role, equipping communities with accurate information about the severe health consequences of FGM and dispelling myths often used to justify the practice. Engaging religious and community leaders is paramount, as their influence can either perpetuate or dismantle FGM. When these trusted figures advocate for abandonment, their messages resonate deeply within their communities. Similarly, involving parents, health workers, and educators in dialogues fosters understanding and shifts norms. The strategic use of traditional and social media amplifies these messages, reaching wider audiences and challenging deeply ingrained beliefs.

Investment in community-led movements, including grassroots organizations and youth networks, is crucial. These local actors are often best placed to understand community dynamics, build trust, and facilitate change from within. Strengthening education through both formal schooling and community-based approaches empowers girls and boys with knowledge and critical thinking skills, fostering a generation that rejects FGM. Prevention messages must be amplified by involving trusted opinion leaders, including health workers, who can provide credible information and support. Crucially, supporting survivors by ensuring they have access to comprehensive, context-tailored healthcare, psychosocial support, and legal assistance is not just a moral imperative but also a strategic component of elimination efforts, as survivors often become powerful advocates for change.

Beyond the humanitarian imperative, there is a compelling economic case for investing in ending FGM. Research demonstrates that every dollar invested in ending female genital mutilation yields a tenfold return. An initial investment of US$2.8 billion could prevent 20 million cases of FGM, thereby generating an astounding US$28 billion in investment returns. These returns are realized through reduced healthcare costs, increased productivity of healthier women and girls, and the broader socio-economic benefits of a population free from the burdens of FGM. This economic argument underscores that ending FGM is not merely an expense but a smart, high-impact investment in human capital and sustainable development.

The Looming Threat: Waning Support and Dangerous Pushback

Despite the significant strides and proven effectiveness of interventions, the progress achieved over decades is now at grave risk. As the 2030 deadline for the Sustainable Development Goals approaches, there is a worrying trend of waning global investment and support for FGM elimination efforts. Funding cuts and declining international investment in critical health, education, and child protection programmes are severely constraining the capacity of organizations on the ground to prevent FGM and support its survivors. These financial shortfalls threaten to undermine the very initiatives that have driven recent successes.

Compounding this challenge is a growing and systematic pushback against efforts to end FGM. This resistance often stems from conservative elements within communities or from broader anti-rights movements that seek to undermine gender equality and women’s bodily autonomy. Alarmingly, dangerous arguments are emerging that attempt to legitimize FGM when carried out by doctors or health workers, a practice known as "medicalization." This trend is particularly insidious because it falsely sanitizes FGM, giving it an illusion of safety and acceptability, thereby removing the perception of risk and potentially increasing its prevalence. The World Health Organization, along with other UN agencies, unequivocally condemns medicalization as it violates medical ethics and the fundamental principle of "do no harm."

Without adequate and predictable financing, community outreach programmes risk being scaled back, vital frontline services weakened, and the hard-won progress reversed. This critical juncture places millions more girls at risk, threatening to derail the global push to meet the 2030 target. The stakes could not be higher; a failure to act decisively now could mean the loss of a generation of girls to this preventable horror.

A Unified Call to Action: UN Agencies Reaffirm Commitment

In the face of these formidable challenges, the joint statement by the UNFPA Executive Director, UNICEF Executive Director, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, UN Women Executive Director, WHO Director-General, and UNESCO Director-General serves as a powerful reaffirmation of a united front against FGM. Each agency brings unique expertise and a specific mandate to this collective endeavour.

• UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund) leads global efforts to end FGM, focusing on sexual and reproductive health, community-based programmes, and supporting survivors through integrated health services.
• UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) champions the rights of children, working to protect girls from FGM through child protection systems, education, and advocacy, particularly at the community and national levels.
• UN Human Rights (Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights) advocates for the recognition of FGM as a human rights violation and supports states in developing and implementing human rights-based approaches to its elimination, including legal reforms and accountability mechanisms.
• UN Women works to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls, addressing FGM as a manifestation of gender-based violence and a barrier to women’s full participation in society.
• WHO (World Health Organization) focuses on the health consequences of FGM, developing clinical guidelines for the care of FGM survivors, advocating against medicalization, and providing technical support to health systems.
• UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) contributes through education and cultural initiatives, challenging the cultural justifications for FGM and promoting human rights education to foster critical thinking and respect for bodily integrity.

Together, these agencies emphasize the critical importance of renewed political will and financial commitment from governments, donors, and private partners. They call for strengthened partnerships with local and global public and private entities, crucially including survivors themselves, who are often the most powerful advocates for change. Their collective voice underscores that ending FGM requires a concerted, multi-sectoral approach that addresses the root causes of the practice while providing comprehensive support to those affected.

Towards 2030: Securing a Future Free from Mutilation

The vision of a world free from Female Genital Mutilation by 2030 is ambitious but achievable. It demands not only the sustained momentum witnessed in the last decade but also an exponential scaling up of proven interventions. The stakes are profoundly high, impacting the physical integrity, mental well-being, and fundamental human rights of millions of girls. Achieving the SDG target of ending FGM is inextricably linked to broader goals of gender equality, health, education, and economic development. Eliminating FGM would unlock the full potential of countless women and girls, enabling them to lead healthy, productive lives and contribute meaningfully to their communities and nations.

The path forward requires robust investment in community-led movements, innovative educational strategies, and comprehensive support systems for survivors. It necessitates unwavering political commitment to enact and enforce protective legislation and to resist the dangerous normalization of FGM through medicalization. The international community, national governments, civil society, and individuals must act with renewed urgency and solidarity. The joint statement serves as a clarion call, reminding the world that the fight against FGM is a shared responsibility, and its eradication is within reach if collective will translates into sustained, well-funded action. By upholding this commitment, the global community can secure a future where every girl can grow up free from the threat of mutilation, living with dignity, health, and autonomy.