Ending FGM
for a world where every girl thrives
What is FGM?
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is where the external female genitalia are partially or totally removed or injured, for non-medical reasons. This practice is usually done to girls under the age of 15.
FGM affects over 230 million women and girls in 90 countries around the world. It is a violation of the human rights of girls and women, including their rights to health, security and dignity.
We work with partners, governments, communities and families to increase awareness of the harms caused by FGM, provide access to medical and psychological care and support the development of policies to end FGM.
Why is FGM performed?
Although many factors allow FGM to continue, the practice is rooted in gender inequality wherever it occurs. FGM continues to persist in some communities due to shared beliefs and social pressures that can make it challenging to abandon the practice.
Across various contexts, it is believed to regulate a girl’s sexuality,function as a rite of passage, or prepare her for married life. These beliefs can make it challenging for parents to abandon the practice.
In some communities there’s also a belief that it’s a religious obligation, despite this not being the case. FGM is not endorsed by Christianity or Islam. However, some people use religious texts to defend the practice.
In some places, a worrying trend has emerged where health-care workers carry out FGM. This is known as the medicalisation of FGM, and it goes against medical ethics. It can also make the practice seem acceptable and hide the real harm it causes.
No matter who performs it, FGM is never safe. It leads to serious physical and emotional harm and puts girls and women at risk for life.
How is FGM harmful for girls and women?
Many girls and women who have undergone FGM will experience lifelong harm. Immediate health risks include hemorrhage, shock, infection, HIV transmission, urine retention and severe pain.
Consequences of FGM also include pain and bleeding as a result of the procedure.
Female genital mutilation can also lead to extreme psychological harm. These effects can begin in childhood and continue into adult life. Many survivors lose trust in the people who are meant to protect them. They may also face long-term anxiety and depression.
In adulthood, girls subjected to FGM are more likely to suffer infertility or complications during childbirth.
What is being done to stop FGM?
Progress has been made in reducing female genital mutilation. Today, a girl is about one third less likely to be subjected to it than she was 30 years ago. Interventions aimed at ending FGM are having an impact.
Education plays a key role in preventing FGM, and it’s essential to involve parents, as well as religious and community leaders, in these efforts.
In 2024 we led initiatives that meant:
- 1,450,136 girls and women received FGM prevention and protection services.
- 304,820 girls aged 0-14 were protected from undergoing FGM.
- 849,502 boys and men took part in efforts to promote positive masculinity.
- 12,200 grass-roots organisations brought together coalitions and networks of youth, feminists, and women entrepreneurs working on the elimination of FGM.
Support our work to stop FGM
Global efforts to end FGM are driving progress, but they still fall short of what is needed to meet the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal 5.3 to eliminate all harmful practices, including child, early and forced marrriage and FGM.
To help achieve this, we must intensify and work together at every level—local, national, and global— to end Female Genital Mutilation.
Women and girls deserve to live in a world free from FGM, in a safe and supportive environment where they can grow, succeed, and thrive.
A monthly donation will support our work with our partners and local communities to support survivors and eliminate FGM.
Donate now and be part of our long-term work to end FGM.
