Title: UNICEF Report Shows Increase in Female Genital Cutting Worldwide
According to a recent analysis by UNICEF, more than 230 million women and girls worldwide have undergone female genital cutting, marking an increase of 30 million since the organization’s last global estimate in 2016. While some countries have seen a decline in the practice, others continue to struggle with high rates of female genital cutting.
In Burkina Faso, the share of girls aged 15 to 19 who have undergone cutting has decreased significantly over the past three decades, but in Somalia, where an estimated 99 percent of women have undergone the procedure, the practice remains unchanged. The overall number of girls subjected to cutting continues to grow each year, particularly in countries with high rates of population growth.
The United Nations has set a goal to eliminate female genital cutting by 2030, but current progress would need to be 27 times faster to meet that target. Some countries that have made progress in reducing the prevalence of cutting now face challenges due to conflicts and displacement from climate emergencies, which make communities more vulnerable to traditional practices.
The practice of female genital cutting is not limited to certain regions, as it remains widespread in parts of the Middle East and Asia, and is also practiced in some immigrant communities in North America and Europe. UNICEF’s calculations were based on national household surveys in 31 countries where the practice is common, revealing the need for continued efforts to end the harmful practice.
While some countries have successfully reduced the prevalence of female genital cutting through education campaigns and legal measures, others continue to struggle with deeply ingrained cultural beliefs. Efforts to change norms around cutting are more successful in countries with diverse populations, where communities practicing cutting are exposed to alternatives.
Despite the challenges, there are individuals and organizations working to end female genital cutting, such as Mariam Lamizana in Burkina Faso and Sadia Hussein in Kenya. These advocates are raising awareness about the physical and psychological consequences of cutting and working to empower survivors to speak out against the practice.
The new data underscores the urgent need for global action to end female genital cutting and protect the rights and well-being of women and girls worldwide.
