"Our research reveals the devastating scale of excess mortality due to Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C). We estimate that approximately 44,320 girls and young women die each year due to FGM/C in the countries where it's practiced. That is a girl dies, unnecessarily and avoidably, every 12 minutes. This makes FGM/C one of the leading causes of death among girls and young women in these regions, causing more deaths than HIV/AIDS, measles, meningitis, and many other major health challenges," said Professor Rockey.
"The data shows that when 50 percentage points more girls in a given age group undergo FGM/C there's an associated 0.075 percentage point increase in mortality rates. While these numbers may seem abstract, they represent tens of thousands of preventable deaths each year. The robustness of our findings across different statistical specifications and data sources makes the conclusion inescapable - FGM/C belongs in the first rank of causes of death in Africa," he added.
"These findings underscore both the human tragedy and the urgent need for intervention," said Professor Flowe. "Behind each statistic is a young life cut short, and a family devastated. While some progress has been made in reducing FGM/C rates, the COVID-19 pandemic has reversed many of these gains. UN estimates suggest an additional 2 million cases due to the disruption of prevention programs, which our research indicates could result in approximately 4,000 additional deaths per year.”
"FGM/C remains legal in five of the 28 countries where it's most commonly practiced," noted Professor Rockey. "Making FGM/C illegal in these countries would be an important first step, as there is evidence that even weak regulations banning FGM/C can help reduce its prevalence."
"The scale of mortality revealed by our research makes clear that this isn't just a human rights issue - it's a public health emergency," added Professor Flowe. "The path to ending FGM/C requires not just legal change but transformation of the social and cultural attitudes that perpetuate this practice. Our findings show just how urgently this change is needed."
"While these statistics are sobering, we've seen that community-led movements can reduce FGM/C rates when local leaders and families work together. In Senegal, for example, over 8,000 communities have publicly declared abandonment of FGM/C through grassroots education and dialogue programs. This shows that while legal changes are important, sustainable change comes from communities themselves choosing to protect their daughters' health and futures." said Professor Flowe.
