Ending Female Genital Mutilation by 2030

6 Februay | International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation

0 tolerance: Stop female genital mutilation (FGM/C)

We need urgent investments to reach the target set in the Sustainable Development Goals of eliminating female genital mutilation by 2030. And we need to amplify the voices of survivors and support their efforts to reclaim their lives, based on their bodily autonomy. |
UN Secretary-General António Guterres

Ending Female Genital Mutilation by 2030

Female genital mutilation (FGM) comprises all procedures that involve altering or injuring the female genitalia for non-medical reasons and is recognized internationally as a violation of the human rights of girls and women. It reflects deep-rooted inequality between the sexes, and constitutes an extreme form of discrimination against women and girls. The practice also violates their rights to health, security and physical integrity, their right to be free from torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, and their right to life when the procedure results in death.

To promote the abandonment of FGM, coordinated and systematic efforts are needed, and they must engage whole communities and focus on human rights and gender equality. These efforts should emphasize societal dialogue and the empowerment of communities to act collectively to end the practice. They must also address the sexual and reproductive health needs of women and girls who suffer from its consequences.

The number of women and girls who have been mutilated continues to increase, while an eradication target has been set for 2030. The increase, mainly due to population growth in the countries concerned, illustrates the difficulty of combating long-standing practices.

“Girls are being targeted for this harmful practice at an increasingly young age, often before their fifth birthday, which further reduces our window of opportunity”

UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said in a statement.

Did you know?

There are over 200 million girls and women alive today who are survivors of FGM.
Girls are today one third less likely to be subjected to FGM compared to 30 years ago; however, progress needs to be at least 10 times faster to meet the global target of FGM elimination by 2030.
In 2024, nearly 4.4 million girls – or more than 12,000 each day – are at risk of female genital mutilation around the world.
1 in 4 survivors underwent female genital mutilation by a health worker.
Daughters of FGM survivors are at significant higher risk to undergo FGM compared to daughters of women who have not undergone FGM.
The financial cost of health care for FGM survivors is USD 1.4 billion every