Share of women who have undergone female genital mutilation

Percentage of women aged 15–49 who have gone through partial or total removal of the female external genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for cultural or other non-therapeutic reasons.

Statistical concept and methodology:

Methodology: The indicator is calculated by the number of women ages 15-49 who have undergone FGM divided by the total number of women ages 15-49 in the population multiplied by 100. The primary sources for this indicator are the Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS) and the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS). The majority of the data are compiled by UNICEF, which coordinates with countries to gather the information. Statistical concept(s): Female genital mutilation (FGM) encompasses all practices that involve the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs, for non-medical reasons. Typically, this procedure is carried out on minors.

Development relevance:

FGM is a harmful practice involving the cutting or removal of the external female genitalia. It does not have any health benefits but rather causes serious risks to women’s physical and psychological health, including chronic infections, pain, menstrual problems, and complications during childbirth. FGM has been practiced mainly in the western, eastern, and north-eastern regions of Africa and some countries in the Middle East and Asia. It is reported that FGM is also found in western countries such as United Kingdom, United States, and Canada.

FGM is a violation of girls’ and women’s human rights, as well as a violation of women’s rights to health, security, and physical integrity. However, its eradication is now becoming a global concern and has even been set as one the SDGs, specifically as SDG target 5.3.

Limitations and exceptions:

The data on FGM should be interpreted with caution for several reasons. Women may be reluctant to disclose undergoing FGM due to its sensitivity or illegal status, and some may be unaware of the procedure, especially if performed at an early age. The data is retrospective, not reflecting recent changes, with reports from girls aged 15 to 19 years referring to events 14 to 18 years earlier. Surveys like MICS and DHS only include FGM questions in countries where the practice is prevalent, meaning FGM may still exist in countries without data, including high-income countries with migrant populations and certain low- and middle-income countries. National-level estimates may be misleading as FGM is often practiced by specific ethnic groups in certain locations, thus not accurately representing the prevalence. Reference: A Generation to Protect: Monitoring violence exploitation and abuse of children within the SDG framework (UNICEF 2020). https://data.unicef.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/A-Generation-to-Protect-publication-English_2020.pdf

Other notes:

This is the Sustainable Development Goal indicator 5.3.2[https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/metadata/].