Female genital mutilation and child, early and forced marriage (FGM/HP)
At least 200 million women and girls worldwide are currently living with the psychological, physical and social consequences of genital mutilation.x
More than 700 million women and girls around the world were married before their 18th birthdayx. In many cases, this means abandoning school, early pregnancies, sexualised violence and a life with clearly limited perspectives.
Info: Forced, early and child marriage and female genital mutilation are referred to as "harmful practices" (HP).For the persons affected, they constitute a serious violation of human rights and dignity.
Forecast: another 68 million cases by 2030
Female genital mutilation and child marriage are deeply rooted in communities and based on social norms and values that maintain a socially accepted inferior female role. Female genital mutilation is intended, for example, to preserve the "honour" of girls and their families, to increase their attractiveness and to exercise control, especially over their sexuality.
It is forecast that at least another 68 million girls will have experienced female genital mutilation over the period 2015–2030.
Infografic
Up to 200 million girls and women are affected by female genital mutilation (FGM). It is estimated that around 50,000 women are living with the consequences of FGM in Germany.Every year 3 million girls around the world are threatened with FGM.
Every year 3 million girls around the world are threatened with FGM
International agreements and conventions address and condemn female genital mutilation and other harmful practices as serious human rights violations. Ending harmful practices such as female genital mutilation and early, child and forced marriage is also enshrined in the United Nations' Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development (as goal 5.3).
However, to achieve this goal by 2030,ending female genital mutilation needs to progress 10 times faster than at present.
Current measures include education, awareness-raising, training of health personnel, dialogue with religious and traditional holders of power, and the support of local partner organisations.
Footnotes
- Source: WHO (n.d) Female genital mutilation (FGM)
- Source: UNICEF (2014) Ending Child Marriage