Shakira, FGM survivor and champion of change participating in events to end FGM.
Shakira, FGM survivor and champion of change, endured a heartbreaking ordeal when she underwent FGM as a young girl. Shakira now works as part of the UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Program on the Elimination of FGM, which brings awareness about the harmful practice t
Photo:© UNFPA Ethiopia/MOPIX Production Ethiopia

Ending Female Genital Mutilation by 2030

Female genital mutilation is a human rights violation that infringes on the fundamental rights of girls and women. The injury of female genitalia for non-medical reasons can have short-term to lifelong health impacts on physical, sexual, and mental health, spanning from childhood, reproductive years, and into old age.

Today, over 230 million girls and women alive today have been subjected to FGM and require access to appropriate care services. The stakes are high: an estimated 22.7 million additional girls are at risk of undergoing FGM by 2030 unless action is accelerated. Every year, approximately 4 million girls are subjected to this practice, with over 2 million occurring before the age of five.

While progress has been made, half of the progress over the last 30 years was achieved in just the last decade, it is not enough. The rate of decline must be 27 times faster to meet the Sustainable Development Goal target by 2030.

Ending FGM requires sustained investment. For every $1 invested to end FGM, there is a return of $10. Conversely, inaction is costly; treating the health complications of FGM costs health systems an estimated USD 1.4 billion per year.

Call to Action: How to Invest

  • Break the Silos: Integrate FGM prevention into education, health, and economic programs.
  • Scale Funding: Strengthen domestic resource mobilization and private sector engagement.
  • Data-Driven Decisions: Invest in national data systems to track progress and inform policies.
  • Utilize Influence: Use your professional skills or social influence to challenge behaviors that perpetuate FGM.

2026 Theme: Towards 2030

No End To FGM Without Sustained Commitment and Investment

In 2012, the UN General Assembly designated February 6th as the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, with the aim to amplify and direct the efforts on the elimination of this practice.

Campaign logo

This year’s theme, “Towards 2030: No end to female genital mutilation without sustained commitment and investment,” highlights the need to have sustained engagement from governments, civil society, communities, philanthropic foundations and the international community. Each act of commitment, whether a policy change, a mentoring initiative, a safe space for dialogue, or a shared story of resilience, represents a step towards a world free from female genital mutilation. Continued and flexible funding is vital to protect past achievements, sustain momentum, and ensure that national and community actors can continue their work with confidence and stability.

On 6 February 2026, the UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme, together with partners, calls on everyone to renew commitments, safeguard hard-won progress, and ensure that every woman and girl can live free from female genital mutilation.

Share your stories, strategies and investment with the hashtags #Invest2EndFGM and #EndFGM to propel a vital movement that leaves no one behind.

UN Action

Since 2008, UNFPA and UNICEF have led the Joint Programme on the Elimination of FGM, the longest and largest global initiative that aims to work with governments and partners to accelerate efforts and results. The program focuses on scaling up cost-effective, evidence-based strategies—such as community engagement and working with healthcare providers—to transform gender and social norms.

Join us on 6 February 2026 in our call to action. Share how you are leveraging your influence or skill set to support the movement. Use the hashtag #Invest2EndFGM to lead the change. Access the Trello board here.

#EndFGM

Documents/Publications

Did You Know?

  • Investing $1 to end female genital mutilation yields a return of $10.
  • An investment of 2.8 billion dollars can prevent 20 million cases and generate 27.9 billion dollars in benefits.
  • Treatment of the health complications of female genital mutilation is estimated to cost health systems USD 1.4 billion per year, which will continue to increase if elimination is not achieved.
  • The cost of ending female genital mutilation in 31 priority countries from 2020 to 2030 is USD 2.4 billion.
  • Over 230 million girls and women alive today have been subjected to female genital mutilation and need access to appropriate care services.
  • Every year, around 4 million girls are subjected to female genital mutilation, with over 2 million before the age of five.
  • Half of the progress on female genital mutilation elimination over the last 30 years was achieved in the last decade.
  • The rate of female genital mutilation prevalence decline would need to be 27 times faster to meet the SDG target by 2030.
  • An estimated 22.7 million additional girls are at risk of undergoing female genital mutilation by 2030 unless action is accelerated.


FGM frequently asked questions

Websites

Related Observances

Photo collage featuring three End FGM advocates

Centring the voices of survivors of female genital mutilation (FGM) is key to end this harmful practice. Meet change-makers who are weaving new patterns of hope to #EndFGM with support from UNFPA—the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency.

FGM survivor Sainey M Ceesay speaks at The Gambia's 2024 FGM Conference.

Survivors of Female Genital Mutilation possess a unique and powerful voice that can drive meaningful change. Their experiences offer important insights into the challenges faced and the support needed. By sharing their stories, survivors can raise awareness, reduce stigma, and inspire action within communities and among policymakers. More Stories.

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International days and weeks are occasions to educate the public on issues of concern, to mobilize political will and resources to address global problems, and to celebrate and reinforce achievements of humanity. The existence of international days predates the establishment of the United Nations, but the UN has embraced them as a powerful advocacy tool. We also mark other UN observances.