Why invest in the Joint Programme on the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation?

Ending female genital mutilation by 2030 is within reach, but only with urgent and sustained investment. Achieving this goal requires an estimated $2.1 billion, yet the cost of protecting one girl is just $95 — a small investment with a lifelong impact. This support can help scale up proven interventions, strengthen community-led movements, and drive policy change that protects millions of girls.

If FGM continues to be practised at current levels, 68 million girls will be subjected to FGM by 2030.

New data shows the numbers are larger, and increasing.

Prior estimates did not include data from Indonesia, thereby underestimating the number of girls having FGM each year in high-risk countries. Prior estimates indicated approximately 3.2 million girls have FGM per year.

Why will the number increase? Because of population growth among young girls in 25 countries where FGM is prevalent and relevant data are available.