Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting: U.S. Assistance to Combat This Harmful Practice Abroad is Limited

At least 200 million girls and women alive today have undergone FGM/C in 30 countries where available data show FGM/C is concentrated. More than 3 million girls are estimated to be at risk for FGM/C annually in Africa. The reasons why FGM/C persists include a mix of cultural, religious, and social factors within families and communities. FGM/C is a human rights violation that has several adverse health consequences. The United Nations (UN) identifies FGM/C as a violation of human rights, and in 2015, the UN General Assembly adopted a set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals for 2030 that includes the elimination of FGM/C as a target. Many countries where FGM/C is known to be concentrated have passed laws banning this practice, but enforcement is a challenge, according to U.S. and UN studies. The Department of State (State) and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) include FGM/C as part of their global strategy to respond to and prevent gender-based violence. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) carry out a Joint Program in 17 countries to work toward ending FGM/C. The Joint Program focuses on community education programs, outreach and training for medical professionals, and the inclusion of FGM/C in broader gender equality and human rights programs. U.S. assistance efforts to address FGM/C are limited. The Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development each had one active standalone project in 2014, and the agencies also undertook some FGM/C-related efforts as components of projects with broader assistance goals. The U.S. government provides funding to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and UNICEF, but to date, has not contributed funds to the UN agencies' Joint Program on FGM/C. Competing development priorities, such as HIV/AIDS, leave little funding specifically for FGM/C, according to USAID officials. Studies have identified key approaches to addressing FGM/C, including community education programs, outreach and training for medical professionals, and the inclusion of FGM/C in broader gender equality and human rights programs. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) reports that many countries where FGM/C is prevalent have passed laws banning the practice, but enforcement is a challenge. The reasons why FGM/C persists include a mix of cultural, religious, and social factors within families and communities. The elimination of FGM/C is a complex issue that requires a multifaceted approach. Community education programs, outreach and training for medical professionals, and the inclusion of FGM/C in broader gender equality and human rights programs are essential components of any effort to address FGM/C. The U.S. government, international organizations, and local communities must work together to address the root causes of FGM/C and provide support to those affected by this practice.