As the world marks the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) on February 6, 2026, the global community finds itself at a defining moment. While decades of advocacy have yielded historic shifts in public perception and legislative protection, the sheer scale of the challenge remains a staggering indictment of gender inequality. This year alone, an estimated 4.5 million girls—many of whom have not yet reached their fifth birthday—face the imminent threat of undergoing this harmful practice. Behind this number lies a broader reality: more than 230 million women and girls are currently navigating the physical and psychological aftermath of FGM. The call from international leaders is no longer just for awareness, but for a renewed, well-funded, and unwavering commitment to ensure that the 2030 target for total elimination does not slip through our fingers.
Female genital mutilation is not merely a traditional rite of passage; it is a fundamental violation of human rights that targets the most vulnerable members of society. It is an act that strips girls of their bodily autonomy and leaves a trail of devastation that spans generations. The practice, which involves the partial or total removal of female external genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons, carries no health benefits. Instead, it serves as a catalyst for a lifetime of suffering. The immediate risks—including hemorrhage, infection, and excruciating pain—are often followed by long-term complications such as chronic pain, cysts, infertility, and life-threatening complications during childbirth.
The mental health toll is equally profound. Survivors frequently report symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression, rooted in the betrayal of trust by family members and the trauma of the procedure itself. Beyond the human cost, there is a significant economic burden. It is estimated that the cost of treating the health complications resulting from FGM totals approximately USD 1.4 billion annually. For many developing nations, this is a preventable drain on healthcare systems that are already stretched to their limits.
Despite these grim statistics, the narrative of the last thirty years is also one of remarkable resilience and progress. We are witnessing a seismic shift in how communities view the practice. In countries where FGM is most prevalent, nearly two-thirds of the population now express support for its total elimination. This shift in the “social norm” is perhaps the most powerful tool in the arsenal of activists. The pace of change has accelerated significantly; half of all the progress made since 1990 has occurred within the last decade alone. This acceleration has transformed the landscape of risk: whereas one in two girls were subjected to FGM thirty years ago, that figure has dropped to one in three today.
This momentum proves that change is not only possible but inevitable if the right strategies are applied. Experience has shown that top-down legislative bans, while necessary, are rarely sufficient on their own. The most effective interventions are those that engage the heart of the community. This includes health education that demystifies the biological consequences of the practice and the active involvement of religious and community leaders who can de-link FGM from faith and tradition. Parents, health workers, and youth networks are increasingly using both traditional and social media to amplify prevention messages, creating a protective shield around the next generation of girls.
However, as we move closer to the 2030 deadline set by the Sustainable Development Goals, the movement faces a perilous “waning” of international support. The gains achieved over the last three decades are fragile and currently under threat from a combination of funding cuts and shifting political priorities. Global investment in health, education, and child protection programs is declining, leaving frontline workers and community outreach programs without the resources they need to operate. When funding disappears, the infrastructure of prevention—from local safe houses to educational workshops—begins to crumble, placing millions of girls back into the path of danger.
One of the most concerning trends in 2026 is the growing “medicalization” of female genital mutilation. In some regions, there is a systematic pushback against elimination efforts, with proponents arguing that the practice should be carried out by trained doctors or health workers in sterile environments to “reduce harm.” This is a dangerous fallacy. Medicalization does not make FGM safe; it merely legitimizes a human rights violation and involves healthcare professionals in a practice that contradicts the fundamental medical oath to “do no harm.” By performing FGM, health workers provide a veneer of safety to a procedure that is inherently traumatic and medically unnecessary, making it even harder to eradicate.
To counter these challenges, the global community must recognize that ending FGM is one of the most cost-effective investments a society can make. The math is clear: every dollar invested in ending this practice yields a tenfold return. A strategic investment of USD 2.8 billion could prevent an estimated 20 million cases by the end of the decade, generating a staggering USD 28 billion in economic returns through improved health outcomes and increased participation of women in the workforce and education.
The strategy for the next four years must be multifaceted. First, there must be an unconditional increase in predictable financing for community-led movements. Grassroots organizations, often led by survivors themselves, are the most effective at navigating the cultural nuances of their specific regions. These movements need the resources to strengthen both formal education and community-based approaches that empower girls to claim their rights.
Second, we must prioritize the voices of survivors. Support for those who have already undergone FGM must be comprehensive, offering not just physical healthcare but also psychosocial support and legal assistance. Survivors are not just victims; they are the most powerful advocates for change. Their stories provide the ultimate evidence of the practice’s harm and the ultimate inspiration for its end.
Third, we must involve “trusted opinion leaders” at every level. When a local midwife, a village elder, or a religious leader stands up and declares that a girl is “complete” without being cut, it carries more weight than any international treaty. Strengthening the capacity of health workers to act as protectors rather than practitioners is essential to reversing the trend of medicalization.
As we look toward the 2030 horizon, the message from UN leaders and global activists is one of urgent solidarity. The progress we have seen—the transition from 50% risk to 33% risk—is a testament to what happens when the world decides that a harmful tradition has no place in the future. But 33% is still far too high. It represents millions of individual lives, millions of dreams that could be stifled by a blade, and millions of girls who deserve to grow up in a world that respects their physical integrity.
The fight to end female genital mutilation is a fight for the very soul of global equality. It is a test of whether we will allow “tradition” to be used as a shield for violence, or whether we will uphold the universal right of every girl to live free from harm. The tools for elimination are in our hands; the strategies are proven, and the economic case is undeniable. What is required now is the political will to bridge the funding gap and the moral courage to stand with every girl at risk.
On this International Day of Zero Tolerance, the reaffirmation of commitment must be more than a formality. It must be a promise backed by the resources and the collective energy of the global public and private sectors. By investing in the safety and health of girls today, we are investing in a more prosperous, equitable, and just world for everyone. The goal of ending FGM by 2030 is within reach, but only if we refuse to let the momentum stall. For the 4.5 million girls at risk this year, there is no time to wait. The era of tolerance for this practice must end, once and for all, ensuring that no girl ever has to live with the physical or emotional scars of a ritual that has no place in the modern world.
