United Nations Urges Renewed Action to End Genital Mutilation
Geneva: More than four million girls worldwide remain at risk of female genital mutilation (FGM) in 2026, despite accelerating global progress over the past decade, United Nations leaders warnedtoday, calling for sustained political commitment and increased investment to end the practice by 2030.
In a joint statement issued on the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, the heads of the United Nations Population Fund (UNPF), the United Nations Children’s Fund, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, UN Women, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) said an estimated 4.5 million girls, many under the age of five, face the risk of undergoing female genital mutilation this year alone. Globally, more than 230 million girls and women are living with the lifelong consequences of the practice.
Female genital mutilation, commonly referred to as FGM, includes all procedures involving the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to female genital organs for non-medical reasons. The World Health Organization classifies the practice into four distinct types, ranging from partial removal of genital tissue to infibulation and other harmful procedures. The practice most commonly occurs during early childhood, with a significant proportion of cases carried out before the age of five, though it may also take place during adolescence or later in life.
According to United Nations and WHO data, female genital mutilation is concentrated in around 30 countries, primarily in parts of Africa, the Middle East and Asia, though migration has expanded the number of girls and women at risk globally, including in countries where the practice is not traditionally prevalent.
The joint statement reaffirmed that female genital mutilation is a violation of human rights and cannot be justified on any grounds. It compromises the physical and mental health of girls and women and can result in severe, lifelong complications, including chronic pain, infections, childbirth complications and psychological trauma. The World Health Organization estimates that treatment for health complications linked to female genital mutilation costs approximately 1.4 billion United States dollars each year, placing a substantial burden on health systems.
United Nations leaders noted that interventions over the past three decades are producing measurable results. Surveys show that nearly two-thirds of people in countries where female genital mutilation is prevalent now support its elimination. After decades of slow decline, progress has accelerated in recent years, with half of all reductions since 1990 achieved in the past decade, lowering the proportion of girls subjected to the practice from one in two to one in three.
Despite this progress, the agencies warned that current trends are not sufficient to meet the Sustainable Development Goal target of eliminating female genital mutilation by 2030, and that further acceleration is required to prevent millions more girls from being affected.
The statement said evidence-based strategies to end the practice are well established, including health education, engagement with religious and community leaders, parents and health workers, and the use of traditional and social media. The leaders stressed the importance of investing in community-led movements, including grassroots organisations and youth networks, and strengthening education through both formal and community-based approaches. They also highlighted the need to support survivors by ensuring access to comprehensive, context-appropriate health care, psychosocial services and legal assistance.
The agencies underscored the economic case for sustained investment, stating that every dollar invested in ending female genital mutilation yields an estimated tenfold return. An investment of 2.8 billion United States dollars could prevent 20 million cases and generate approximately 28 billion dollars in returns, reflecting reduced health care costs and broader social and economic benefits.
However, the joint statement warned that gains achieved over decades are at risk as global funding declines. Cuts to international investment in health, education and child protection programmes are already limiting prevention efforts and support services for survivors. The agencies also raised concern over growing resistance to elimination efforts, including claims that female genital mutilation is acceptable if carried out by medical professionals. The World Health Organization has consistently opposed this practice, known as medicalisation, stating that it does not reduce harm and violates medical ethics and human rights.
While many countries have enacted laws banning female genital mutilation, the statement noted that enforcement remains uneven and legal protections alone are insufficient without sustained community engagement and resources.
Without predictable and adequate financing, the agencies cautioned that community outreach programmes could be scaled back, frontline services weakened, and progress reversed, placing millions more girls at risk at a critical moment in the global effort to meet the 2030 target.
Reaffirming their collective commitment, the United Nations leaders said they would continue working with governments, civil society, survivors, and public and private partners at national and global levels to end female genital mutilation once and for all.
– global bihari bureau
