FGM was once considered an inevitable rite of passage for girls in the Mara region of the United Republic of Tanzania, but communities are making progress.
Breaking the myth
More than 230 million girls and women have been subjected to female genital mutilation (FGM) and live with its profound, long-lasting and often life-threatening physical and mental consequences, despite efforts to eradicate this horrific practice.
By 2026, almost 4.5 million girls will be at risk of undergoing this procedure.
One of the reasons FGM remains so entrenched is the false notion that foreign influence is driving efforts to abandon it.
On the eve of International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, celebrated on February 6, we are busting this myth.
‘Survivor leadership is changing my community’
When Ms. Albert joined a community dialogue supported by the UN agency, she heard other survivors openly share their experiences.
Olivia Albert runs a youth advocacy group in the Mara region of the United Republic of Tanzania
“When girls listen to someone who has been through this, they listen differently,” she said.
“They find courage. Survivor leadership is changing my community. We can’t erase the past, but we can make sure the next girl grows up without fear and together we will make it happen.”
Denouncing misinterpretations
Religious leaders also denounce misinterpretations, including Imam Ousmane Yabara Camara, a well-known and respected figure in Guinea’s Kindia prefecture.
“Female genital mutilation is not a prescription of Islam,” he said. “Too many girls suffer the serious health consequences of this practice. We must stop it.”
He suggested that the topic be included in education to better help future generations live without female genital mutilation.
Today, thousands of children hear about it in schools that increasingly teach comprehensive sexual education.
In Kindia Prefecture, Guinea, Imam Ousmane Yabara Camara is a well-known and respected figure, who has chosen to use his platform to serve the women and girls of his community. .
New laws are changing the course
In many countries where female genital mutilation is deeply rooted, new legislation is slowly changing the situation.
In Djibouti, Eritrea and Somalia, Islamic scholars issued a national fatwa in 2025 stating that there are no religious reasons that justify female genital mutilation.
“In our neighborhoods we now have two powerful shields: the Constitution and the fatwa,” said activist Nafissa Mahamoud Mouhoumed, from Djibouti.
“While the law reminds people of the legal consequences, the fatwa removes the religious excuse that was used for generations to justify female genital mutilation. This double victory gives us, the activists on the ground, the utmost confidence to talk to families and say ‘both your faith and your country protect your daughter.'”
Involve men and boys
In Ethiopia, three quarters of women and girls between the ages of 15 and 49 have undergone some form of female genital mutilation.
“We sat helplessly for years, watching women suffer complications during childbirth and sometimes lose both mother and baby,” recalled local district chief Mitiku Gunte. “We knew something was wrong, but we didn’t know what or how to stop it.”
Mr. Mitiku is now an advocate of a joint program led by UNFPA and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), which together with the local administration engages hundreds of men and boys in the fight against this practice.
Through dialogues designed for different segments of society (older men, young singles, women, and youth), community members go door-to-door to speak with each group about their specific concerns and influences.
There is no medical justification for female genital mutilation
When performed by a healthcare provider, FGM is often described as “medicalized,” but even with a professional present and sanitized equipment available, it is neither safe nor necessary, and there is never any medical justification for it.
In the Hadiya area of Ethiopia, a local elder leads a weekly information and discussion session on harmful practices.
“I often receive cases after the damage has already been done, with serious complications,” said Dr. Maram Mahmoud, a family doctor in Upper Egypt.
“I honestly didn’t expect this to have such an impact on my perspective, but now I better understand the different mindsets of those considering it and feel more confident in guiding them and explaining the serious harms, risks and consequences.”
Learn more about how UNFPA is helping to end female genital mutilation here.