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Female genital mutilation

FGM refers to the practice of partially or fully removing external female genitalia. The global practice is a violation of women's rights that can have "short-term or lifelong health impacts," according to the UN.

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All Content on this topic

Miss World Somalia 2025's journey beyond FGM and healing

Miss World Somalia 2025, Zainab Jama, shares her survival story. How she’s turning pain into purpose to inspire change.

DW | The 77 Percent | 2026 | Moderatorinnen Fatou Ellika Muloshi & Rachel Nduati

DW | The 77 Percent | 2026 | Moderatorinnen Fatou Ellika Muloshi & Rachel Nduati

Could you endure these rites of passage?

We meet boys facing deadly initiations, girls rejecting FGM, and Miss World Somalia turning pain into purpose.

DW | Global Us | Deutsche Ausgabe vom 09.03.

DW | Global Us | Deutsche Ausgabe vom 09.03.

Shining with Samba spirit: Rio's upbeat street cleaners

On tour with Rio's upbeat cleaning heroes; circumcised as a child, a Kenyan woman makes a courageous new start.

A girl listens-in on a meeting of an anti-female genital mutilation (FGM) women's group, on January 31, 2018 in Alakas village, bordering with Kenya, northeast Uganda

A girl listens-in on a meeting of an anti-female genital mutilation (FGM) women's group, on January 31, 2018 in Alakas village, bordering with Kenya, northeast Uganda

UN: 4.5 million girls at risk of genital mutilation in 2026

Many of the girls at risk of FGM are under the age of 5, the UN says.

A woman wearing a black T-shirt and blue jeans stand up to her ankles in water, on the coast of Gambia. In the background is a beach and palm trees.

A woman wearing a black T-shirt and blue jeans stand up to her ankles in water, on the coast of Gambia. In the background is a beach and palm trees.

Why clitoral reconstruction is a distant dream in Gambia

Gambia has one of the continent's highest FGM rates, and activists are fighting to uphold a national ban.

Person wearing blue medical protective clothing sitting on a hospital bed, looking to the side.

Person wearing blue medical protective clothing sitting on a hospital bed, looking to the side.

FGM survivor's hope: 'I just want to feel whole again'

Evelyn Nyambura, 29, is preparing for clitoral reconstruction, hoping it will heal years of physical and emotional pain.

Woman in a colorful patterned dress standing outdoors near green bushes, smiling.

Woman in a colorful patterned dress standing outdoors near green bushes, smiling.

How a Kenyan FGM survivor reclaimed autonomy via surgery

After years of silent suffering, a Kenyan FGM survivor has turned her pain into purpose.

Young girls sit in a row and take part in a music class at the shelter; they are learning to play the trumpet.

Young girls sit in a row and take part in a music class at the shelter; they are learning to play the trumpet.

Kenya: A 'house of hope' for women at risk of FGM

Kenya has strict laws against female genital mutilation, yet it remains widespread. Can shelters for women help?

A pair of gloved hands pick up some medical instruments and needles used to perform female genital mutilation.

A pair of gloved hands pick up some medical instruments and needles used to perform female genital mutilation.

How Uganda's Sabiny women are ending FGM

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) left deep scars among Uganda's Sabiny women and they are leading a movement to end it.

Women meeting to discuss female genital circumcision (FGM) in Indonesia

Women meeting to discuss female genital circumcision (FGM) in Indonesia

Indonesia's FGM ban: Is change on the horizon?

FGM affects about half of Indonesian females despite a government ban. Now activists are using education to fight back.

How to stop FGM in Indonesia? — Global Us

How can women and girls resist FGM in Indonesia? How can AI protect hummingbirds and their habitat in Ecuador?

A mother and a traditional healer comfort a girl wearing a green gown and a gold crown head piece in Sulawesi

A mother and a traditional healer comfort a girl wearing a green gown and a gold crown head piece in Sulawesi

Indonesia: Are harmful FGM practices about to change?

This is why there is a reason for hope for girls in conservative Aceh province.

A male presenter stands facing the camera, behind him is an image of several women with their heads covered or bowed

A male presenter stands facing the camera, behind him is an image of several women with their heads covered or bowed

Ending FGM: Why Africa is making slow progress

How are African countries faring in efforts toward zero tolerance against female genital mutilation?

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GirlZOffMute — What do Nigerian teens think of FGM?

Listen to what they told us

Gambian activists Rohey Cham and Sainabou Sey celebrate after the country's parliament rejected the bill to end a ban on female genital mutilation.

Gambian activists Rohey Cham and Sainabou Sey celebrate after the country's parliament rejected the bill to end a ban on female genital mutilation.

Gambia upholds ban on female genital mutilation

Gambian lawmakers have blocked an attempt to re-legalize female genital cutting after months of debate.

Near Gambia's parliament building, a female demonstrator holds up a placard that reads: "Do not repeal the anti-FGM/C Law"

Near Gambia's parliament building, a female demonstrator holds up a placard that reads: "Do not repeal the anti-FGM/C Law"

Gambia's National Assembly debates lifting ban on FGM

In Gambia, the question of female genital mutilation is being debated again, after it was banned in 2015.

A woman holds up a placard that says, "Do not repeal the anti-FGM/C law"

A woman holds up a placard that says, "Do not repeal the anti-FGM/C law"

Gambia postpones vote to repeal FGM ban

Lawmakers in Gambia have referred a bill to repeal the ban on FGM for further committee discussions.

Women shop at a street market in Gambia December 3, 2021

Women shop at a street market in Gambia December 3, 2021

Gambia lawmakers move forward on bill to reverse FGM ban

If Gambia repeals the ban on FGM, it will become the first nation to roll back protections against cutting.

Anti Female Genital Mutilation campaigners march to end FGM in Sierra Leone

Anti Female Genital Mutilation campaigners march to end FGM in Sierra Leone

FGM in Sierra Leone: What can be done to end it?

Female genital mutilation is prevalent in Sierra Leone with human rights advocates concerned about its impact.

A woman holds up a homemade tool used to perform female genital mutilation

A woman holds up a homemade tool used to perform female genital mutilation

Nigerian activists fight against female genital mutilation

Victims live with trauma and health problems for the rest of their lives, and activists are pushing for more protection.

Living Planet 210318 Podcast Picture Teaser

Living Planet 210318 Podcast Picture Teaser

Low emissions, high consequences

The climate crisis in Africa: cultural shifts in Kenya, mental health in South Africa & perilous peatlands in the DRC.

Kenya Frauen FGM

Kenya Frauen FGM

Initiation without FGM for Maasai girls

To stamp out FGM, some Maasai girls are taking part in the so-called Alternative Rite of Passage.

DW Sendung The 77 Percent | Wanjiku Mwaura

DW Sendung The 77 Percent | Wanjiku Mwaura

The 77 Percent - The Magazine for Africa's Youth

Discover how women across Africa are fighting back against harmful practices to reclaim their health and happiness.

Fokus Europa Genitalverstümmelung

Fokus Europa Genitalverstümmelung

Doctor helps women recover from circumcisions

Although female genital mutilation is outlawed in France, around 60,000 women are subjected to the practice.

Filmstill | Marie-Claires "Rote Orchideen" - Hilfe für Opfer von Genitalverstümmelung

Filmstill | Marie-Claires "Rote Orchideen" - Hilfe für Opfer von Genitalverstümmelung

Helping the victims of female genital mutilation

Marie-Claire Kakpotia Moraldo will never forget the day that she was forced to endure FGM.

Women, girls listen to WADI activist, as she peaks about the harms of genital mutilation

Women, girls listen to WADI activist, as she peaks about the harms of genital mutilation

Egypt struggles with female genital mutilation

Egypt is nowhere close to achieving its aim of ending FGM by 2030. Other places have had more success.

Kenia | Weibliche Genitalverstümmelung

Kenia | Weibliche Genitalverstümmelung

Zero tolerance for FGM

In Kenya, the African Medical and Research Foundation is fighting against female genital mutilation

Symbolbild I Trauer

Symbolbild I Trauer

German coalition faces calls to curb violence against women

A leading German human rights body has urged the new government to make good on pledges to fight violence against women.

Living Planet 210318 Podcast Picture Teaser

Living Planet 210318 Podcast Picture Teaser

Why global climate conferences matter

Living Planet covers COP26 and how climate change is affecting people's lives in Africa.

A girl from the Pokot tribe in Kenya

A girl from the Pokot tribe in Kenya

A fairy tale to fight FGM

Female genital mutilation survivor Ntailan Lolkoki is fighting deep-rooted tradition with the help of a story.

The 77 Percent

The 77 Percent

Ghana's lioness brings pride and attitude back home

Ghanaian singer Wiyaala returned to her home village to inspire youngsters to take up a career in music.

DW TV Magazin - The 77 Percent - Michael

DW TV Magazin - The 77 Percent - Michael

The 77 Percent — The Magazine for Africa's Youth

Deadly initiation rites, young journalists tackling taboo topics and world kickboxing champion Patricia Apolot.

The 77 Percent TV Magazin #31, FGM female genital mutilation

The 77 Percent TV Magazin #31, FGM female genital mutilation

Ivory Coast: The girls speaking out over the airwaves

A group of journalism students is encouraging young women to speak up and challenge old attitudes.

The 77 Percent TV Magazin #31, FGM female genital mutilation

The 77 Percent TV Magazin #31, FGM female genital mutilation

Street Debate: FGM in Kenya

Edith Kimani speaks with young women who were forced to undergo FGM in rural Kenya.

The 77 Percent TV Magazin #31, FGM female genital mutilation

The 77 Percent TV Magazin #31, FGM female genital mutilation

The Spread: Understanding FGM

Our sex and relationship expert KAZ explains the different types of FGM and why it's so harmful to young women.

A young girl from Niger stares off into the distance

A young girl from Niger stares off into the distance

World in Progress: How COVID-19 is eroding women's rights

An interview with Jan Kreutzberg of the German Foundation for World Population about the UNFPA's latest findings.

Displaced women from the Bafuliru community make purchases at the market of the internally displaced persons (IDP) camp of Bijombo, South Kivu Province, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

Displaced women from the Bafuliru community make purchases at the market of the internally displaced persons (IDP) camp of Bijombo, South Kivu Province, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

UN: Developing world women lack body autonomy

Sex, health care, contraception — UN says developing nation women lack control over decisions affecting their bodies.

DW Sendung | The 77 Percent Ausgabe #50

DW Sendung | The 77 Percent Ausgabe #50

The 77 Percent - Fighting violations against women

What do women think and how do they feel when issues affecting them are decided by men. We'll hear from The Gambia

DW's Editor, Moderator and Reporter, Mimi Mefo Newuh

DW's Editor, Moderator and Reporter, Mimi Mefo Newuh

A day of mourning for Africa

Mimi Mefo Newuh

March 8 is International Women's Day — an occasion that should be celebrated. But there is little to rejoice in Africa.

The protection letter booklet with a dark blue passport-style cover

The protection letter booklet with a dark blue passport-style cover

Could this new booklet save girls from FGM?

Female genital mutilation is "an archaic crime" but it is still an issue in Germany, Minister Franziska Giffey said.

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Ivory Coast: Stamping out female genital mutilation

Female genital mutilation is still an issue in rural areas of Ivory Coast. Though it has been banned decades ago, girls still die and suffer from the practice.

Rugiatu Turay stands clapping in a circle of people

Rugiatu Turay stands clapping in a circle of people

The woman fighting Sierra Leone's FGM tradition

Despite decades of campaigns against female genital mutilation, the practice is still widespread in Sierra Leone.

A protest by the Terre des Femme NGO in central Berlin — February 6, 2019.

A protest by the Terre des Femme NGO in central Berlin — February 6, 2019.

Almost 2,000 FGM cases identified in Germany in 2019: study

Female genital mutilation is up some 40% in Germany, compared with 2016, according to a rights group.

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Kenya: Traditional beads and the fight against FGM

As puberty starts, Maasai girls are gifted with beads. It means they are ready for marriage and FGM can target them.

Ex-female genital mutilation (FGM) cutter Monika Cheptilak, who stopped practicing after the country set anti-FGM law in 2010, shows a homemade tool used for FGM

Ex-female genital mutilation (FGM) cutter Monika Cheptilak, who stopped practicing after the country set anti-FGM law in 2010, shows a homemade tool used for FGM

Coronavirus pandemic leads to rise in FGM across Africa

The coronavirus pandemic has had a negative impact on efforts to curb FGM, say campaigners.

Rugiatu Turay, anti-FGM activist from Sierra Leone

Rugiatu Turay, anti-FGM activist from Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone anti-FGM activist wins human rights prize

Campaigner Rugiatu Turay has won a German human rights prize for fighting female genital mutilation in Sierra Leone.

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Former Miss Tanzania stands up to FGM

A former Miss Tanzania beauty queen has is acting against FGM in her Maasai community.

Protest gegen Weibliche Genitalverstümmelung

Protest gegen Weibliche Genitalverstümmelung

Russia's first FGM trial restarts after quarantine

A doctor who performed female genital mutilation on a nine-year-old girl in the northern Caucasus is on trial.

A Sudanese woman carrying a baby and making the v-sign for victory.

A Sudanese woman carrying a baby and making the v-sign for victory.

Sudan's liberalization for the chosen few

The Sudanese government is introducing more liberal laws and making an effort to improve human rights. But is it enough?

Sudan allows alcohol for non-Muslims, decriminalizes apostasy

Sudan allows alcohol for non-Muslims, decriminalizes apostasy

Sudan allows alcohol consumption, decriminalizes apostasy

The raft of amendments comes a year after Islamist dictator Omar al-Bashir was toppled following mass protests.