Dramatic rise in women and girls being cut, new FGM data reveals

The Alarming Increase in Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Cases

According to new data, the number of girls and women who have undergone female genital mutilation (FGM) has increased by 15% in the past eight years. Figures released by the UN children’s agency, Unicef, reveal that more than 230 million girls and women alive today have undergone FGM, compared with 200 million in 2016. This concerning trend indicates that girls are being subjected to the practice at a younger age.

Urgent Action Needed to Achieve Sustainable Development Goals

Unicef executive director Catherine Russell emphasizes that FGM harms girls’ bodies, diminishes their futures, and puts their lives at risk. The increasing prevalence of FGM at younger ages further reduces the opportunity for intervention. To eliminate this harmful practice by the UN’s target date of 2030, efforts need to be accelerated 27 times faster than the current rate.

FGM as a Violation of Human Rights

FGM involves the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia and is a violation of human rights. In 2012, the UN passed a resolution to ban this practice.

Regional Disparities and Challenges

Approximately 60% of FGM cases (144 million) occur in Africa, followed by 80 million in Asia and 6 million in the Middle East. Countries such as Somalia, Guinea, Djibouti, Egypt, Sudan, and Mali have the highest prevalence rates. These countries also face other urgent issues like conflict, climate shocks, and food insecurity, which hinder the delivery of programs to support girls.

While many African countries have experienced a decline in the practice over the past few decades, overall progress has stalled or even regressed.

Challenges in Legal Framework and Enforcement

In some countries, the legal framework and enforcement against FGM remain inadequate. For instance, in the Gambia, a bill to repeal the ban on FGM was tabled in parliament, sparking a debate over rights, religion, and culture. Sierra Leone still allows the practice despite growing pressure for its criminalization. Tragically, three girls lost their lives during cutting ceremonies in Sierra Leone earlier this year.

The Need for Behavior Change

Claudia Cappa, the lead author of the Unicef report, highlights that while opposition to FGM is growing in communities where the practice is concentrated, this opposition has not translated into behavioral change. This disconnect underscores the importance of addressing the underlying factors that perpetuate FGM.

Medicalization of FGM

Campaigners warn that the medicalization of FGM, where health practitioners perform the procedure in hospitals or homes, makes it harder to detect and prevent. This shift further complicates efforts to eradicate the practice.

Progress and Concerns in Kenya

Kenya, which criminalized FGM in 2011, has witnessed a steady decline in cases. However, concerns remain, particularly among the Somali community in the country’s north-east, where enforcement is poor and progress has stalled. There are also reports of resurgences in the central Kenya region of Murang’a, where women over 30 are choosing to undergo FGM as a “return to culture.”

Call for Increased Funding and Action

Unicef emphasizes the need for action at a higher level to prevent FGM, given the reduced window of opportunity. Grassroots organizations fighting to end the practice require more funding. Nimco Ali, the chief executive of the Five Foundation, a global partnership to end FGM, highlights the devastating consequences of FGM and expresses personal devastation over the significant increase in affected individuals.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Related to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 5: Gender Equality
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 5.3: Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early, and forced marriage and female genital mutilation
• SDG 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being
• SDG 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the following indicators can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

• Number of girls and women who have undergone female genital mutilation
• Age at which girls are subjected to female genital mutilation
• Number of countries with laws criminalizing female genital mutilation
• Number of cases and deaths related to female genital mutilation
• Enforcement of anti-FGM laws and progress in eliminating the practice

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: theguardian.com

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