Thirty-Year Trends in the Prevalence and Severity of Female Genital Mutilation: A comparison of 22 countries

Female genital mutilation (FGM) refers to the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injuries to female genital organs for non-therapeutic reasons. FGM harms women’s and girls’ health and wellbeing and is widely considered a violation of their human rights. The Sustainable Development Goals calls for the elimination of the practice by 2030.

This paper explores trends in the prevalence and severity of FGM in 22 countries over thirty years.