Understanding the Relationship Between Child Marriage and Female Genital Mutilation: A statistical overview of their co-occurrence and risk factors

The well-being of millions of girls around the world is threatened by child marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM). Both child marriage and FGM have existed for generations due to gender inequality. In many countries where both practices are common, girls that have low levels of education, are living in rural residences, and living in poorer households are more likely to fall victim to child marriage and FGM. Although there are connections in the girls’ characteristics and the risk of falling victim to these practices, the reasons behind the practices and the practice of one or both of these vary from one community to another. This report seeks to identify to what extent child marriage and FGM co-exist.