Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting: A Devastating Reality

Introduction

Female genital mutilation or cutting (FGM/C) is a deeply entrenched cultural practice that affects around 200 million women and girls. It’s practised in at least 25 African countries, as well as parts of the Middle East and Asia and among immigrant populations globally.

The Harmful Practice

It is a harmful traditional practice that involves removing or damaging female genital tissue. Often it’s “justified” by cultural beliefs about controlling female sexuality and marriageability. FGM/C causes immediate and lifelong physical and psychological harm to girls and women, including severe pain, complications during childbirth, infections and trauma.

New Research Reveals Devastating Reality

We brought together our expertise in economics and gender-based violence to examine excess mortality (avoidable deaths) due to FGM/C. Our new research now reveals a devastating reality: FGM/C is one of the leading causes of death for girls and young women in countries where it’s practised. FGM/C can result in death from severe bleeding, infection, shock, or obstructed labour.

A Leading Cause of Death

Our study estimates that it causes approximately 44,000 deaths each year across the 15 countries we examined. That is equivalent to a young woman or girl every 12 minutes. This makes it a more significant cause of death in the countries studied than any other excluding infection, malaria and respiratory infections or tuberculosis. Put differently, it is a bigger cause of death than HIV/AIDS, measles, meningitis and many other well-known health threats for young women and girls in these countries.

Where the Crisis is Most Severe

The practice is particularly prevalent in several African nations. In Guinea, our data show 97% of women and girls have undergone FGM/C, while in Mali the figure stands at 83%, and in Sierra Leone, 90%. The high prevalence rates in Egypt, with 87% of women and girls affected, are a reminder that FGM/C is not confined to sub-Saharan Africa.

Striking Findings

Our analysis revealed that when the proportion of girls subjected to FGM in a particular age group increases by 50 percentage points, their mortality rate rises by 0.1 percentage points. While this may sound small, when applied across the population of affected countries, it translates to tens of thousands of preventable deaths annually.

Beyond the Numbers

These statistics represent real lives cut short. Most FGM/C procedures are performed without anaesthesia, proper medical supervision, or sterile equipment. The resulting complications can include severe bleeding, infection and shock. Even when not immediately fatal, the practice can lead to long-term health problems and increased risks during childbirth.

Urgent Crisis

FGM/C is not just a human rights violation – it’s a public health crisis demanding urgent attention. While progress has been made in some areas with some communities abandoning the practice, our research suggests that current efforts to combat FGM/C need to be dramatically scaled up.

The Way Forward

Ending FGM/C requires a multi-faceted approach. Legal reforms are crucial – the practice remains legal in five of the 28 countries where it’s most commonly practised. However, laws alone aren’t enough. Community engagement, education, and support for grassroots organisations are essential for changing deeply held cultural beliefs and practices.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that ending FGM/C should be considered as urgent a priority as combating major infectious diseases. The lives of millions of girls and young women depend on it.

FAQs

Q: What is FGM/C?
A: FGM/C is a harmful traditional practice that involves removing or damaging female genital tissue.

Q: Where is FGM/C most prevalent?
A: FGM/C is most prevalent in several African countries, including Guinea, Mali, Sierra Leone, and Egypt.

Q: What are the health risks associated with FGM/C?
A: FGM/C can lead to severe pain, bleeding, infection, and shock. It can also increase the risk of complications during childbirth and lead to long-term health problems.

Q: How can FGM/C be prevented?
A: FGM/C can be prevented through education, community engagement, and support for grassroots organisations. Legal reforms are also crucial, as the practice remains legal in many countries where it’s most common.