UNFPA Warns of 4.5 Million Girls at Risk of Female Genital Mutilation in 2026

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) warns that over 4.5 million girls are at risk of female genital mutilation (FGM) in 2026, with a global estimate of 230 million affected by this harmful practice. FGM involves altering or injuring female genitalia for non-medical reasons and is recognized internationally as a violation of human rights.

Despite ongoing efforts to eradicate FGM, it remains deeply entrenched, especially in African countries like Ethiopia, where three-quarters of women and girls aged 15-49 have undergone some form of FGM. However, there is a glimmer of hope as some countries like Djibouti, Eritrea, and Somalia are slowly turning the tide against FGM through new legislation and religious decrees.

The UNFPA emphasizes the need for a collective effort to protect girls, invest in ending FGM by 2030, and promote comprehensive sexual education to combat this harmful practice.