Over Four Million Girls at Risk of FGM in 2026, UN Leaders Urge Renewed Global Action.
Joint statement warns funding cuts and backlash threaten progress toward ending female genital mutilation by 2030.
New York:
More than four million girls are at risk of undergoing female genital mutilation (FGM) this year alone, according to a joint statement issued by six United Nations leaders marking the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation.
The statement, signed by the heads of UNFPA, UNICEF, the UN Human Rights Office, UN Women, the World Health Organization (WHO), and UNESCO, calls for sustained political commitment and increased investment to eliminate the practice by 2030, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“In 2026 alone, an estimated 4.5 million girls—many under the age of five—are at risk of undergoing female genital mutilation. Currently, more than 230 million girls and women are living with its consequences,” the UN leaders said.
A Human Rights Violation with Lifelong Consequences
FGM, which involves the partial or total removal of external female genitalia for non-medical reasons, is internationally recognized as a violation of human rights. It has no health benefits and can result in severe physical and psychological harm, including chronic pain, infections, complications during childbirth, and even death.
The UN leaders emphasized that the practice cannot be justified under any cultural, social or religious grounds. The global economic burden of treating health complications resulting from FGM is estimated at approximately US$ 1.4 billion annually.
Signs of Progress, But Risks Remain
Despite the scale of the challenge, the statement highlights notable progress over the past three decades. Nearly two-thirds of people in countries where FGM is prevalent now support its elimination. Since 1990, the proportion of girls subjected to FGM has declined from one in two to one in three, with half of the gains achieved in just the past decade.
“After decades of slow change, progress against female genital mutilation is accelerating,” the leaders noted. “We need to build on this momentum and speed up progress to meet the Sustainable Development Goal target of ending female genital mutilation by 2030.”
However, they warned that this progress is fragile. Declining international funding for health, education and child protection programmes is already constraining prevention and survivor support services. Without predictable and adequate financing, community outreach efforts could be scaled back, frontline services weakened, and hard-won gains reversed.
The statement also raised concern about growing resistance to anti-FGM initiatives and the dangerous narrative that the practice is acceptable if performed by medical professionals—a trend known as “medicalization” of FGM, which global health authorities strongly oppose.
What Works — and the Cost of Inaction
UN leaders stressed that effective strategies to end FGM are well established. These include health education, engagement with religious and community leaders, involvement of parents and health workers, and the use of traditional and social media to shift social norms.
They also called for stronger investment in community-led movements, grassroots organizations, youth networks, and both formal and community-based education systems. Survivors must have access to comprehensive, context-sensitive health care, psychosocial support, and legal assistance.
The economic case for investment is compelling. According to the statement, every dollar invested in ending FGM yields a tenfold return. An investment of US$ 2.8 billion could prevent 20 million cases and generate an estimated US$ 28 billion in returns.
Renewed Commitment Ahead of 2030 Deadline
As the 2030 deadline for achieving the SDG target approaches, the UN leaders reaffirmed their commitment to working with governments, civil society, survivors, and both public and private partners to eliminate the practice once and for all.
“Today, we reaffirm our commitment and efforts with local and global public and private partners, including survivors, to end female genital mutilation once and for all,” the statement concluded.
With millions of girls still at risk each year, the UN’s message is clear: progress is possible, but only sustained political will, adequate funding, and collective action can ensure that the next generation grows up free from the threat of female genital mutilation.
