UN Leaders Urge Sustained Investment to End Female Genital Mutilation by 2030

A coalition of UN and global health leaders marked the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation with a warning: despite gains over recent decades, millions of girls remain at risk, and progress could stall without sustained commitment.

The statement estimates that 4.5 million girls could face FGM in 2026, many under age five. It also states that more than 230 million girls and women are living with lifelong consequences of the practice.

A clear rights and health warning

The leaders describe female genital mutilation as a violation of human rights that cannot be justified. They say it harms physical and mental health and can lead to serious, lifelong complications. The statement estimates treatment costs at about US$ 1.4 billion each year.

Signs of progress and what’s driving change

The statement says efforts over the past three decades are making an impact. It reports that nearly two-thirds of people in countries where FGM is prevalent now support ending the practice. It also says progress is speeding up: half of the gains since 1990 occurred in the past decade, reducing the share of girls subjected to FGM from one in two to one in three.

Leaders say this momentum must continue to meet the Sustainable Development Goal target of ending FGM by 2030.

Strategies the statement says are effective

The leaders emphasize that successful prevention approaches are already known. The statement highlights:

• Health education
• Engaging religious and community leaders, parents, and health workers
• Using traditional and social media
• Investing in community-led movements, including grassroots and youth networks
• Strengthening education through formal and community-based routes
• Amplifying prevention messages through trusted voices, including health workers

Support for survivors is part of the response

The statement calls for ensuring survivors can access comprehensive, context-tailored support, including:

• Health care
• Psychosocial support
• Legal assistance

Funding risks and pushback could reverse gains

The leaders warn that progress is vulnerable as global investment and support weaken. They point to funding cuts and declining international investment in health, education, and child protection programs, saying these constraints already limit prevention and survivor support.

They also flag systematic pushback, including arguments that FGM is acceptable if performed by doctors or health workers, calling this a further barrier. Without predictable financing, the statement warns community outreach may be scaled back, frontline services weakened, and progress reversed, placing more girls at risk at a critical moment.

The investment case presented in the statement

The leaders say every dollar invested in ending FGM delivers a tenfold return. They estimate that US$ 2.8 billion could prevent 20 million cases and generate US$ 28 billion in investment returns.

The stated commitment moving forward

The statement reaffirms a commitment to work with public and private partners locally and globally, including survivors, to end female genital mutilation permanently.

For girls and women living with the consequences of FGM, the statement emphasizes the need for access to quality and appropriate services, including health care, psychosocial support, and legal assistance. For families and communities, it points to prevention approaches centered on education, trusted local leadership, and community-led networks.

For people seeking care across borders, the statement’s focus suggests that survivors may look for settings that can provide comprehensive, context-tailored support rather than isolated services, especially when local outreach programs or frontline care are weakened by funding cuts.

FAQs

Q1: How many girls are at risk of female genital mutilation in 2026, according to the statement?

The statement estimates 4.5 million girls will be at risk in 2026, many under the age of five.

Q2: How many girls and women are already living with the consequences of FGM?

It says more than 230 million girls and women are living with lifelong consequences.

Q3: What does the statement say about health impacts and costs?

It states FGM harms physical and mental health, can cause serious lifelong complications, and has treatment costs estimated at about US$ 1.4 billion each year.

Q4: What approaches does the statement describe as effective for ending FGM?

It highlights health education, engaging community and religious leaders and health workers, using traditional and social media, investing in grassroots and youth networks, and strengthening education.

Q5: Why do UN leaders say progress could be at risk?

They warn that funding cuts, declining investment in health, education, and child protection programs, and growing pushback could weaken prevention and survivor services and reverse gains.

Medical Disclaimer

“This content is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice.”