Recently released figures by the United Nations Population fund (UNFPA) and the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) indicate that female genital mutilation (FGM) is waning in a majority of the 29 countries that still pervasively practice it. Studies indicate that 36% of women ages 15-19 have experienced FGM, as compared to 53% of women ages 45-49. Such results represent the results of widespread grassroots movements of people within these countries, as well as comprehensive campaigns by the UN and other international agencies.
The most effective efforts pursue both protective legislation, as well as educational outreach programs that seek to reduce the cultural stigma that may attach to women who have not experienced FGM. These programs must be community-based and community-led to change the cultural norms that continue to reinforce the prevalence of FGM. The consequence of such a dual-strategy campaign will be, hopefully, that women will be legally protected from this practice and will receive community and cultural support.