Over 4 million girls face FGM risk in 2026, but global efforts including legal bans, faith-based rejection, and advocacy are driving progress.

Female genital mutilation (FGM) persists globally, with over 4 million girls at risk in 2026, despite progress in parts of Africa. Religious leaders, including Islamic scholars in Somalia, have issued fatwas rejecting FGM, while countries like Djibouti and Tanzania combine legal bans with community engagement. Survivor-led advocacy, youth programs, and faith-based dialogue are shifting cultural norms. In Southeast Asia, where FGM is underreported but widespread—especially in Indonesia—medicalization and lack of regional cooperation hinder progress. UN agencies stress that sustained investment, legal reform, and cross-border collaboration are critical to ending FGM and protecting girls’ rights.