International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM

Expand social movements led by girls, women, survivors, youth, boys and men through strategic coalitions that amplify action to eliminate female genital mutilation.

Factors associated with the perception of ease and intention to practice female genital mutilation on daughters: A cross-sectional study of cross-border communities in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, and Uganda

2022 Global Annual Report - Reimagining Resilience: Eliminating Female Genital Mutilation in the Context of the Polycrisis

Research agenda and ethical guidance on FGM research

Campaigns: Born Complete & A Piece of Me: The Powerful Voices of Afari FGM Survivors

Previous studies have documented trends in female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) prevalence rates across African countries, but they are limited to analyses of population-level changes in prevalence and absolute changes in prevalence rates.

These studies identified that in the majority of African countries, FGM/C prevalence has been decreasing over time.

There are currently no studies examining either relative changes in FGM/C prevalence to identify the countries in which prevalence has changed fastest, or disaggregating trends in FGM/C prevalence rates by women’s socioeconomic characteristics, across African countries.

Our analyses include the estimation of historic, absolute and relative changes in FGM/C prevalence rates as well as disaggregating trends by women’s education and urban-rural residence, for 23 African countries.

We show that there is a relationship between absolute and relative FGM/C prevalence rates and that comparisons of trends across countries are dependent on the type of prevalence measure that is used.

Our analyses suggests the presence of an underlying FGM/C transition and uncovers growing socioeconomic inequalities in FGM/C as countries change from high to low prevalence.

Progress in the abandonment of FGM/C has not been uniform across socioeconomic groups.

Interventions towards the abandonment of FGM/C must be designed to acknowledge and accommodate the socioeconomic heterogeneity in prevalence that we document.

Governments, donors, and the private sector must step up financial investments to scale up of effective interventions.

Place survivors at the heart of advocacy, policymaking, and implementation efforts. Their voices are essential to driving change.

February 6 as International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation

Ensure countries uphold their commitment to international, regional and national human rights through regular reporting of progress in implementation of policies, strategies and interventions that protect girls at risk and provide necessary care including justice for survivors.

Progress in the abandonment of FGM/C has not been uniform across socioeconomic groups.

Interventions towards the abandonment of FGM/C must be designed to acknowledge and accommodate the socioeconomic heterogeneity in prevalence that we document.

This study enhances understanding of the dynamics in FGM/C in Africa that is crucial for considering plausible future pathways and for developing theories of change in FGM/C prevalence.

On this important day, February 6, we urge people from every corner of the globe to unite in amplifying the message of “Stepping up the Pace.” Share your efforts and stories by tagging #Unite2EndFGM from across social media platforms and affirming the commitments. It is only through concerted efforts that we can make lasting change so that no girl has to live with fear or endure the harmful consequences of FGM.

Since 2008, close to 7 million girls and women have accessed prevention and protection services. Additionally, 48 million people have made public declarations to abandon FGM, and 220 million individuals were reached by mass media messaging on the issue.  In the last two years, close to 12 000 grassroots organizations and 112 000 community and frontline workers have worked to drive change. 

Within a context of these gains, which remain fragile, UNFPA Executive Director Dr Natalia Kanem, UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus collectively reaffirm commitment to work with countries and help end this harmful practice that affects more than 230 million girls and women alive today. Read the Joint Statement here. 

On 6 February at 14:00 CET WHO will participate in a global advocacy webinar for the observance of the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation 2025 entitled '' Stepping Up the Pace: Strengthening Alliances and Building Movements to End FGM" an advocacy event hosted by the UNFPA – UNICEF Joint Programme on the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation. Register to participate!

Hear from global leaders, survivors, and youth advocates as we unite to End FGM.