These operations on female genitalia violate fundamental human rights, including the right to life, health, and bodily integrity. According to the organization, more than 230 million women and girls worldwide have already suffered from this practice, and another 23 million are at risk.
Female genital mutilation causes significant harm to the physical and mental health of women and girls, can lead to serious complications, and the costs of treating such consequences amount to about $1.4 billion per year. According to UN data, every dollar invested in combating this practice can yield a tenfold return. By investing $2.8 billion, it is possible to prevent 20 million cases of female genital mutilation and achieve an economic return of $28 billion.
It is noted that over the past 30 years, efforts to eradicate female genital mutilation have begun to bear fruit.
Today, nearly 66% of the population in countries where this practice is prevalent supports its cessation. Since 1990, in regions where female genital mutilation is practiced, the proportion of girls undergoing this procedure has decreased from 50% to 33%. However, the UN emphasizes that this is not enough to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal, which aims for the complete elimination of harmful practices by 2030.
