FGM Medicalisation: 1 in 4 Cases Now Involve Health Professionals, Says WHO

Following the release of the new WHO guideline on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), alarming data confirms that over 25% of FGM procedures are now performed by healthcare providers. This growing trend of medicalisation is deeply concerning, as it undermines decades of advocacy and progress in public health and human rights.

The medicalisation of FGM, when doctors, nurses, or midwives perform FGM in clinical settings, may reduce the risk of immediate physical harm, but it perpetuates the same long-term trauma, pain, and discrimination. It also legitimises FGM as a cultural norm rather than confronting it as a form of gender-based violence. This practice gives a false impression of safety while continuing to violate the human rights of women and girls. In fact, studies shows that FGM can be even more harmful when performed by health professionals, often resulting in deeper and more severe cuts. “Health workers must be agents for change rather than perpetrators of this harmful practice,” said Dr Pascale Allotey, WHO’s Director for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research.

“Research shows that health workers can be influential opinion leaders in changing attitudes on FGM, and play a crucial role in its prevention,” added Christina Pallitto, Scientist at WHO and HRP who led the development of the new guideline. “Engaging doctors, nurses and midwives should be a key element in FGM prevention and response, as countries seek to end the practice and protect the health of women and girls.”

In response to this alarming trend, the End FGM European Network has released a powerful policy paper on this subject. It argues that medicalisation cannot be accepted as a “safer” alternative. It calls on healthcare professionals, policymakers, and international bodies to stand firmly against all forms of FGM, regardless of who performs it. Allowing FGM to exist in any form undermines efforts to eliminate it entirely.

READ THE POLICY PAPER

To strengthen frontline responses and eliminate any complicity within health systems, the Network also launched the End FGM E-Campus, a multilingual, free training platform for professionals. This online platform is designed for social workers, educators, legal professionals, and especially healthcare providers, equipping them with the tools to identify, prevent, and respond to FGM in a human rights-based, trauma-informed way. Available in English, French, Italian, Portuguese, and Greek, the E-Campus modules provide critical insights into FGM laws and survivor-centered care. 

JOIN THE PLATFORM

As the medicalisation of FGM continues to rise, these resources are more essential than ever.