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Genital mutilation

Female genital mutilation / cutting: a statistical exploration

Outlining the prevalence of female genital mutilation

Authors: ; Unicef
Publisher: United Nations [UN] Children's Fund , 2006

This report outlines a study aiming to estimate the prevalence of Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) across and within countries, as well as the circumstances surrounding the practice. The study presents a global assessment of FGM/C levels and examines differentials in prevalence according to socioeconomic, demographic and other proximate variables, including type of FGM/C, practitioners and attitudes towards ending the practice. It further seeks to highlight patterns that exist within the data, illustrate how much can be learned by disaggregating variables and suggest how these data can be used to strategically inform programmatic efforts.

Conclusions and recommendations include:

  • FGM/C prevalence rates are slowly declining is some countries
  • strategies to end FGM/C must be accompanied by holistic, community-based education and awareness-raising
  • programmes must be country specific and adapted to reflect regional, ethnic and socioeconomic variances