Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a human rights violation, a form of violence and discrimination against girls and women. It is most often carried out on girls between infancy and age 15, though adult women are also subjected.

Where are women living with the consequences of female genital mutilation or at risk in the Asia-Pacific region? 

In 2024, new statistics were released by UNICEF showing 230 million women and girls around the world are affected by FGM, a 15% increase or 30 million more girls and women being subjected to FGM, compared to the data released eight years ago. This figure now includes data on Asia – showing that 80 million women and girls in Asia have been subjected to FGM, marking the first time ever that statistics have been released by UNICEF demonstrating the prevalence of FGM in Asia.

Despite evidence of FGM occurring in countries across South and South East Asia, out of the 12 countries with evidence of FGM prevalence, only Indonesia has enacted a specific legal prohibition against female genital mutilation. In the wider Asia-Pacific region, both Australia and New Zealand have specific laws against female genital mutilation.

The Asia Network to End Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting is a collaborative group of civil society actors working across Asia to end all forms of FGM/C.

Activists and groups working to end the practice across the region face monumental challenges in their work, compounded in many cases by the lack of reliable data, insufficient support and funding from the international community, and the reluctance of national governments to take action on the issue, and in some cases a refusal by the national governments to recognize the existence of the practice at all.