UN Agencies Warn 4.5 Million Girls at Risk of Female Genital Mutilation in 2026

In a powerful joint statement issued on the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, leaders from six major United Nations agencies have sounded the alarm over the persistent threat of female genital mutilation (FGM) affecting millions of girls and women worldwide.

The statement, signed by the Executive Directors of UNFPA and UNICEF, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Executive Directors of UN Women and UNESCO, and the Director-General of the World Health Organisation, reveals that an estimated 4.5 million girls—many under the age of five—are at risk of undergoing FGM in 2026 alone. Currently, more than 230 million girls and women are living with the lifelong consequences of this harmful practice.

Female genital mutilation is a grave violation of human rights that cannot be justified under any circumstances. The practice severely compromises the physical and mental health of girls and women, often leading to serious, lifelong medical complications. The annual cost of treating these complications is estimated at approximately US$1.4 billion.

Despite these grim figures, interventions aimed at ending FGM over the past three decades are yielding positive results. Nearly two-thirds of the population in countries where FGM is prevalent now express support for its elimination. Progress has accelerated significantly in recent years—half of all gains achieved since 1990 were made in the past decade alone, reducing the proportion of girls subjected to FGM from one in two to one in three.

However, UN leaders stress the need to build upon this momentum and accelerate efforts further to meet the Sustainable Development Goal target of ending female genital mutilation by 2030.

The UN agencies have identified proven strategies that work effectively in combating this practice. Health education programmes, engagement of religious and community leaders, involvement of parents and health workers, and strategic use of traditional and social media have all demonstrated success. Investing in community-led movements, including grassroots and youth networks, alongside strengthened education through both formal and community-based approaches, remains essential.

Prevention messaging must be amplified through trusted opinion leaders, particularly health workers who serve as influential figures in their communities. Additionally, comprehensive support systems for survivors must be ensured, including access to context-tailored health care, psychosocial support, and legal assistance.

The economic case for ending FGM is compelling. Every dollar invested in elimination efforts yields a tenfold return. An investment of US$2.8 billion could prevent 20 million cases and generate US$28 billion in returns.

Yet as the 2030 deadline approaches, decades of progress face serious risk. Global investment and support are waning, with funding cuts and declining international investment in health, education, and child protection programmes already constraining prevention efforts and survivor support services.

The situation is further complicated by growing systematic pushback against elimination efforts, compounded by dangerous arguments suggesting FGM is acceptable when performed by doctors or health workers. These developments create additional hurdles for elimination campaigns.

Without adequate and predictable financing, community outreach programmes face scaling back, frontline services risk weakening, and hard-won progress could be reversed—placing millions more girls at risk at this critical juncture in the push to meet the 2030 target.

Today, the UN agencies reaffirm their unwavering commitment to work alongside local and global public and private partners, including survivors themselves, to end female genital mutilation once and for all.