Close
Search
Menu Menu

New report uncovers a dramatic rise in FGM cases worldwide

Credit: Wikimedia Commons
By
London, UK
0 energy + Add Energy
What is energy?
Want to show your appreciation? Give an article “Energy” and it will help us know what you like.
0 comments
0 comments

According to recent data released by UNICEF, the number of women and girls who have undergone female genital mutilation has increased by 15 per cent in the past eight years, showing that the pace of progress remains woefully off track to meet the SDG of ending the practice by 2030.

More than 230 million women and girls around the world have now undergone female genital mutilation (FGM), according to a new report issued on Friday by the United Nations children’s agency, UNICEF.

The (almost) universally condemned procedure – which involves the partial or total removal of the external genitalia for non-medical reasons – is traditionally carried out to dictate proof of sexual purity and often performed by ‘healers’ or untrained midwives using razors, broken glass, or knives.

It is extremely dangerous, and can lead to urinary tract infections, menstrual problems, decreased satisfaction during intimacy, childbirth complications, depression, low self-esteem, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Causing lasting harm to female health, education, and future opportunities, FGM is a severe violation of human rights that is profoundly rooted in inequality as well as the male desire to control women’s bodies and, ultimately, their lives.

The increase of 15 per cent since the organisation’s last global estimate in 2016 (200 million) shows that the pace of progress remains woefully off track to meet the Sustainable Development Goal of ending the practice by the target date of 2030.

To do so by then, stresses UNICEF, campaign work needs to be happening 27 times faster than the current rate.

As explained by UNICEF executive director, Catherine Russell, the dramatic rise in cases is attributable to girls being cut at a younger age, as well as more girls being born in FGM-practising countries compared to the rest of the world.

‘Female genital mutilation harms girls’ bodies, dims their futures, and endangers their lives,’ she says.

‘We’re also seeing a worrying trend that more girls are subjected to the practice at younger ages, many before their fifth birthday. That further reduces the window to intervene. We need to strengthen the efforts of ending this harmful practice.’

Approximately 60 per cent of FGM cases (144 million) occur in Africa, followed by 80 million in Asia, and 6 million in the Middle East.

Countries with the highest prevalence of FGM include Somalia, Guinea, Djibouti, Egypt, Sudan, and Mali, where other challenges such as conflict, climate change, and food insecurity complicate intervention efforts.

‘Even in communities that are slowly shifting away from the practice, the total number of [victims] can remain the same or even increase if the population is growing rapidly,’ says lead author, Claudia Coppa. ‘It is indeed bad news. This is a huge number, a number that is bigger than ever before.’

To eradicate FGM, UNICEF is calling on communities and leaders everywhere to step up their efforts to end gender discrimination and inequality, urgently invest in services for girls, prioritise girls’ rights in laws and policies, and better track the prevalence of FGM using reliable data.

‘As a survivor, I know all about the devastating consequences that FGM has on women and girls,’ says Nimco Ali, chief executive of The Five Foundation, the global partnership to end FGM.

‘The new estimate showing a huge increase of 30 million more affected is not just shocking but personally devastating, especially when we know what works and we could have prevented this from happening.’

Feature Media Manager & Senior Writer London, UK

Sofia (She/Her) – I’m the Feature Media Manager and a Senior Writer at Thred, specialising in exclusive articles and live interviews, fashion and beauty with a focus on sustainability, women’s rights, psychedelics, and Latin America. I studied Spanish at the University of Exeter and International Journalism at City, London. Follow me on Twitter, LinkedIn, and drop me some ideas/feedback via email.

Popular

Keep up with thred by signing up to our planet-positive newsletter!

More from thred.

Exclusive – Amelia Crews on building community resilience
Credit: Amelia Crews
People

Exclusive – Amelia Crews on building community resilience

We spoke to the environmentally-centred Gen Zer – who is a renewable energy engagement lead at Younity – about why we must be confronting the climate crisis as a united front. Amelia Crews’ advocacy journey began at her lowest point. Having struggled with mental health issues for some time, it wasn’t until she hit ‘rock bottom’ that a way out presented itself to her. Once she ‘fostered enough courage to pull...

By London, UK
How India is tackling its hunger and malnutrition crisis
Credit: Unsplash
People

How India is tackling its hunger and malnutrition crisis

India's fight against hunger and malnutrition remains an uphill battle, with staggering statistics that paint a grim picture of the nation's invisible crisis affecting millions, especially among the most vulnerable communities. India's dismal ranking of 111 out of 125 countries in the 2023 Global Hunger Index, with a 'serious' hunger level score of 28.7, is a sobering reminder of the challenges that lie ahead. The crisis is particularly acute for...

By Bhubaneswar, India
Israel’s attack on the last ‘safe zone’ in Gaza sparks global outcry
Credit: Al Jazeera
People

Israel’s attack on the last ‘safe zone’ in Gaza sparks global outcry

The IDF’s latest lethal attack on a refugee camp in Gaza has violated an order laid out by the International Court of Justice. Meanwhile, leaders in Europe are moving to recognise Palestine as a state, signalling a major turning point in the conflict.   Days after the October 7th attack, global media outlets exploded with fake news reports claiming that Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had found 40 babies beheaded by...

By London, UK
Climate change is making plane turbulence worse
Credit: Unsplash
Planet

Climate change is making plane turbulence worse

While storms and undulating mountain winds can affect the amount of turbulence we experience on flights, there’s one other factor that is being worsened by climate change. For now, it’s completely undetectable to pilots.  By now, you’ve probably heard about the Singapore Airlines flight that encountered severe turbulence and suddenly plunged 6,000 feet just hours before reaching its destination. The intense disturbance caused a British national on board to go into...

By London, UK
Accessibility