Female genital mutilation (FGM) remains a deeply entrenched practice affecting millions of women and girls worldwide. Despite global efforts to eliminate it, FGM continues to pose severe health risks, violate fundamental human rights, and perpetuate gender inequality, particularly in parts of Africa and the Middle East.
Over 230 million girls and women have undergone female genital mutilation, representing a 15% increase—or 30 million more girls and women—compared to data from eight years ago.
In sub-Saharan Africa, 1 in 4 women and girls has undergone female genital mutilation. But levels vary widely across countries. There are still countries where female genital mutilation is almost universal; where at least 9 in 10 girls and women, aged 15–49 years, have been cut, while it affects no more than 1% of girls and women in Cameroon and Uganda.
Find out more about the harmful effects of FGM:
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/female-genital-mutilation
https://www.unwomen.org