The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has warned that an estimated 4.5 million girls worldwide remain at risk of female genital mutilation (FGM) in 2026, despite decades of global efforts to end the practice.
UNFPA said about 230 million girls and women alive today have already undergone FGM, a harmful practice involving the alteration or injury of female genitalia for non-medical reasons. The procedure is internationally recognised as a violation of human rights, with lasting physical and psychological consequences.
The agency cautioned against the growing trend of so-called “medicalised” FGM, where the procedure is carried out by health workers. According to UNFPA, the presence of trained personnel or sterilised equipment does not make the practice safe or acceptable, stressing that there is no medical justification for it under any circumstances.
FGM has been reported in at least 94 countries across all continents, making it a global issue rather than one confined to specific regions. Africa remains the most affected continent, with countries such as Ethiopia recording prevalence rates as high as 75 per cent among women and girls aged 15 to 49.
Speaking ahead of the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, observed annually on February 6, UNFPA challenged the belief that opposition to the practice is driven by foreign influence. The agency noted that data from around one-third of practising countries show a steady decline over the past 30 years, with the proportion of girls subjected to FGM falling from one in two to one in three.
UNFPA added that global attitudes are also shifting, with two-thirds of men and women worldwide now supporting the elimination of the practice.
“To protect girls at risk, sustained investment and broader partnerships are essential to meet the global target of ending female genital mutilation by 2030,” the agency said, calling on governments, donors, communities, religious leaders and young people to work together to challenge harmful social norms.
The agency highlighted progress in education and legislation, noting that thousands of children now learn about the dangers of FGM through comprehensive sexuality education in schools. In countries such as Djibouti, Eritrea and Somalia, Islamic scholars issued a joint fatwa in 2025 declaring that there are no religious grounds for the practice.
Despite these gains, UNFPA warned that millions of girls remain vulnerable and urged accelerated action to ensure they can grow up free from female genital mutilation.
Source: Healthwise;Punchng