The International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation is observed on 6 February each year. It marks the global effort to end a harmful practice that violates human rights and causes severe physical and mental health consequences. The issue remains urgent, with millions of girls still at risk and progress towards elimination goals moving too slowly.
Global Burden and Risk
Female genital mutilation affects more than 230 million girls and women alive . Around 4.5 million girls, many under the age of five, are at risk of undergoing the practice. If current trends continue, another 22.7 million girls could be affected by 2030. The estimated annual cost of treating its health consequences is at least USD 1.4 billion.
Why Progress Remains Fragile
Recent gains in reducing FGM are under pressure from several factors:
- Funding cuts in health, education and child protection.
- Growing resistance to abandonment efforts.
- Increasing medicalisation of FGM.
- Weak and unpredictable financing for community programmes.
These trends may slow or reverse progress if not addressed through sustained action.
WHO and UN Health Guidance
The World Health Organization and the UN reproductive health research programme have issued updated evidence-based guidelines in 2025. These guidelines focus on prevention, clinical management and survivor-centred care. They stress that health systems must provide respectful services, including sexual, reproductive and mental health support, while avoiding medicalisation. They also call for stronger laws, ethical standards and codes of conduct for health workers.
Path Forward and Investment Case
Ending FGM requires long-term, multisectoral action involving communities, religious and traditional leaders, parents, educators, media, governments and health systems. Survivors need access to psychosocial support, legal assistance and quality care. The economic case is also strong – every dollar invested in ending FGM is estimated to yield a tenfold return, and USD 2.8 billion could help prevent 20 million cases while generating USD 28 billion in returns.
Last Modified: April 27, 2026