FGM Worldwide

The practice of FGM on women between the ages of 15-49 has been documented by the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) published by Macro, and the Multiple Indicator Cluster Services (MICS) published by UNICEF.

The data revealed that FGM is still practiced in 28 African countries and parts of Asia and Latin America.

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The Findings

Here are their findings of the prevalence of FGM performed on women between the ages of 15-49 within the different countries of Africa:

  • Where FGM is performed almost universally (on over 85% of all women in the country): Somalia, Guinea, Sudan, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea and Mali.
  • With a high prevalence of FGM (60-85% of women): Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Gambia and Mauritania
  • With a medium prevalence of FGM (28%-59% of women): Cote d’Ivoire, Chad, Liberia, Guinea-Bissau, Yemen, Senegal and Nigeria
  • Where there is a low prevalence of FGM (less than 28% of women): Cameroon, Benin, Central African Republic, Ghana, Kenya, Niger, Togo, Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania

It is a criminal offence to perform FGM here in the UK, or to take UK nationals and UK permanent residents to a different country to have FGM performed. Any person who is convicted of this offence is liable to serve up to 14 years in prison.

Legal Matters

FGM Worldwide

Getting Help

Human Rights

Key Facts

Consequences