“Every girl, every woman has the right to grow up whole, safe, educated, and free from violence,” said Catherine Menganyi, a survivor of female genital mutilation stressing that ending FGM is not an act of charity, but of justice and describing the practice as part of a broader system that controls women’s bodies and normalises violence.
Global momentum to eliminate FGM remains fragile. In a joint statement, agencies including the United Nations Population Fund, UNICEF, World Health Organization (WHO), and UN Women warned that “over four million girls [are] still at risk of female genital mutilation… sustained commitment and investment are still needed to end FGM.” In 2026 alone, an estimated 4.5 million girls many under the age of five face the risk of being cut.
Although progress has been made, it remains uneven and insufficient. Girls today are about one-third less likely to undergo FGM than three decades ago, with half of that progress achieved in just the past decade. Even so, the rate of decline must accelerate 27-fold to meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal target of elimination by 2030.
The economic case for action is equally stark. Managing FGM-related health complications costs health systems an estimated USD 1.4 billion annually. By contrast, prevention delivers significant returns, with every dollar invested yielding up to USD 10 in benefits. An estimated USD 2.8 billion investment could prevent 20 million cases and generate USD 28 billion in returns.
Despite these gains, global experts and survivors warn of setbacks. Data presented at the SHE & Rights session ahead of the Commission on the Status of Women showed that the number of women affected by FGM rose from 200 million in 2016 to over 230 million by 2024—a 15% increase.
Approximately one-third of these cases occur in Asia, where experts also warned of a ‘worrying trend’ in the medicalization of FGM/C, with healthcare professionals wrongly legitimizing the practice despite condemnation from the WHO. “When we speak about violence and human rights violations, FGM is among the most heinous crimes,” said Shobha Shukla, host of the session.
Legal accountability remains inconsistent. While 59 of the 94 countries where FGM occurs have laws banning the practice, prosecutions are rare. Advocates are increasingly turning to international mechanisms such as the Universal Periodic Review to push governments to enforce existing legislation.
The push for accountability has seen survivors use strategic litigation to defend their rights. While 59 of the 94 countries where FGM/C occurs have specific laws prohibiting it, prosecutions remain rare. Advocates are now looking toward the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), a UN human rights mechanism, to keep pressure on governments to enforce existing bans.
In India’s Landmark Menstrual Health Ruling, the struggle for dignity shifted to the courts. The Indian Supreme Court recently issued a landmark 127-page judgment recognizing menstrual health as a fundamental right under the constitutional right to life and dignity.
The ruling came after data revealed approximately 4 million girls in India dropped out of primary education over the last four years, often due to a lack of private toilets and sanitary products. The court has now mandated that all states provide: functional, gender-segregated toilets with water and handwashing facilities, free biodegradable sanitary napkins via vending machines in schools and menstrual hygiene management corners equipped with spare uniforms and disposal bags.
“When girls are forced to sacrifice their education or dignity due to biological realities, the harm is constitutional in nature,” said gender justice activist Debanjana Choudhuri.
Community-led solutions are key
Menganyi urged leaders to invest in community-led solutions, noting that affected communities are best placed to find locally relevant fixes.
Against this global backdrop, Uganda’s progress stands out. The country has reduced FGM prevalence to 0.02% in 2026, down from 4.2% in 2016, building on earlier declines from 1.4% in 2011 and 0.2% in 2022. The gains reflect sustained legal enforcement, community engagement, and youth-led interventions following the enactment of the Female Genital Mutilation Act of 2010.
Government officials caution that progress must be sustained. State Minister Peace Mutuuzo emphasised the need to translate national policies into community-level action, warning against complacency as prevalence declines.
Community-driven solutions have been central to this progress. UNICEF-supported U-Report initiatives have reached more than 30,000 people across Sebei and Karamoja since November 2025, combining door-to-door outreach, community dialogues, and partnerships with local leaders to address both FGM and child marriage.
Cultural adaptation has also played a role. Leaders of the Sabiny cultural institution have introduced alternative rites of passage that eliminate cutting while preserving mentorship and social education.
Peter Swilikei Kissa said their intention is to ensure that they don’t have a vacuum – they are modifying the cultural practice to eliminate the cutting but retain the teaching and mentoring.
Health and development partners also agree that the gains remain fragile. Dr Patrick Kagurusi of Amref Health Africa, said ending FGM is not the responsibility of one institution but a collective obligation, which requires the need for coordinated, long-term investment.
