Progress
FGM/C RATES VARY BY ETHNICITY AND ACROSS AND WITHIN COUNTRIES
Percentage of girls and women aged 15–49 who have experienced FGM/C, in 27 countries of Africa and the Middle East (1997–2006)
UNICEF estimates that 70 million girls and women aged 15–49 in 27 countries of Africa and the Middle East have undergone female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). Prevalence varies significantly across and within countries.
OLDER GIRLS AND YOUNGER WOMEN LESS LIKELY THAN OLDER WOMEN TO HAVE EXPERIENCED FGM/C
Prevalence of FGM/C among girls and women by age group, in 26 countries where these data were available (1997–2006)
The prevalence of FGM/C has declined slowly but steadily during the past 15 years. Older girls and younger women are less likely to have experienced any form of FGM/C than older women.
Lowered prevalences of FGM/C may reflect the impact of legislation, policy changes at the national level and actions at the community level. Because of societal pressures, individuals who oppose FGM/C may be unable to abandon the practice. Abandonment on a large scale requires a collective approach.
THE PRACTICE OF FGM/C MAY PERSIST DESPITE WEAK SUPPORT FOR IT
Levels of support for FGM/C among girls and women and its prevalence among daughters, in eight countries where the level of support is lower than the prevalence (1997–2006)
