In 2012, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the first-ever resolution against FGM, calling for intensified global efforts to eliminate it. This paper seeks to provide a new perspective by factoring in demographic dynamics analysis. It presents data from a number of countries across Africa and Asia including: current levels of FGM; the main differences according to background characteristics; and observed trends in the last 10 – 15 years.
Considering past, current and future demographic dynamics helps identify possible scenarios for elimination. The data provided in this report offers reliable quantitative information to define programmatic and financial support, and can guide individual governments and international donors. Data on FGM have been collected in a number of ways:
- Demographic Health Surveys (DHS)5 since 1990, with about 50 surveys conducted in 25 countries with prevalent FGM
- Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS) since 2000, with more than 30 surveys conducted in 18 countries with prevalent FGM.
Reliable data on the practice is now available for all African countries where the practice is concentrated, plus Iraq and Yemen. Statistical information is currently not available for countries where FGM has been newly identified, such as Colombia and India.
Key findings:
- If programmatic interventions and financial resources remain the same or decline, over 15.2 million girls will be subject to FGM by 2020. However if the 17 target countries achieve their targets, 4 million girls will be protected from FGM.
- Findings from the case studies focusing on Burkina Faso and Guinea add to a growing body of literature which finds that ethnic and religious backgrounds are strong determinants of FGM practice.
- Based on data available, approximately 130 million girls and women have undergone FGM. Over the past five years, prevalence has decreased due to efforts rooted in a comprehensive, human-rights based, culturally sensitive approach, with consistent focus on the changing value attributed to girls and women affected by FGM. These efforts have strengthened national ownership, capacity and leadership for abandonment; encouraged partnerships and coordination among national and community level actors; and the integration of programmatic approaches, strategies and initiatives into national interventions.
- Programmes that take a broad approach to reproductive health, education and access to justice can have an indirect effect on FGM, increasing knowledge and generated solutions to reduce violence against women, including FGM.
Recommendations:
- Continued efforts to accelerate and scale up interventions which address harmful practices of FGM.
- Context should be a key aspect of programmatic decision-making. A programme focused on prevention in cities is more appropriate for a country with a rapid urban growth while a programme focused on promoting the law against FGM and community education may be more appropriate in a country with a higher rural population where few ethnic groups practice FGM.
