Last update: Jan 2009
Progress
Younger women less likely than older women to have experienced FGM/CPrevalence 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 (1997–2007)
Source for figures: UNICEF global databases, 2008, based on MICS, DHS and other national surveys, 1997–2007.