Understanding the root causes of female genital mutilation in today's world.
Female genital mutilation (FGM) refers to the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, and other injuries to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. This is a painful procedure, which has no health benefits and is recognised internationally as a violation of human rights.
Through our work, we support girls at risk and those affected by FGM, while also addressing the complex social, cultural, and economic factors that allow it to persist. In this article, we explore those underlying circumstances and seek to answer the question: Why is FGM still being done?
Jump to: Why FGM is happening | Impact on girls | Real stories | What is World Vision doing to end FGM
Female genital mutilation (FGM) remains a widespread and deeply harmful practice, affecting over 200 million girls and women across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Why?
FGM is often upheld due to deep-rooted cultural beliefs. In many communities, it is seen as a rite of passage into womanhood and is closely tied to notions of purity, modesty, and social acceptance. Girls who have not undergone FGM may be viewed as impure or unmarriageable, reinforcing stigma and pressure to conform.
Some believe FGM suppresses sexual desire, aligning with cultural expectations of female chastity. These beliefs are often perpetuated by community and religious leaders, and the practice continues largely because it is seen as a longstanding tradition.
A persisting inequality between genders also contributes to the ongoing practice of FGM. Patriarchal structures often seek to control women’s bodies, sexuality and autonomy, and FGM is a way to do so.
Female genital mutilation enforces male dominance and reinforces the notion that a woman's body is an object to be perfected for male ownership. The practice is seen as a way to “prepare” girls for marriage and motherhood, to ensure their “purity” and align with societal expectations and gender roles.
There are still some countries with no specific national law that criminalises FGM. Of the 28 countries in Africa where it’s practised, only 23 have laws in place to specifically ban it.
Even in the many countries that have laws against FGM, these laws are often not effectively enforced. This can be due to a number of reasons, including weak legal systems, corruption, the private nature of the practice, and fear of backlash against informants.
FGM is often justified by myths about health benefits, including improved hygiene, increased fertility, and disease prevention. These claims are unfounded. Medical research shows that all forms of FGM are harmful, causing severe immediate and long-term health issues. These include intense pain, bleeding, infections, urinary problems, complications in childbirth, sexual dysfunction, and psychological trauma. In some cases, FGM can even result in death.
In cultures where one's marriageability status is ensured by having undergone the practice, some families choose for their daughters to undergo the procedure for economic reasons.
For those living in child poverty, a dowry can be a way to gain wealth, and families will often do what is needed to secure an offer of marriage. Many parents will also think that undergoing FGM is beneficial to the girl, ensuring she will wed and receive better financial security from her husband.
FGM causes severe and lasting damage—physically, emotionally, and psychologically. It can lead to chronic health problems, complications in childbirth, and deep trauma.
Beyond the physical pain, FGM robs girls of control over their bodies and their futures. Survivors often carry the scars, both visible and invisible, for life.
Read on to hear two powerful stories from girls who faced the unimaginable.
At 13, Abigael's life changed dramatically. Her father, driven by tradition and the desire for a second wife, planned to marry her off for a dowry, dismissing the value of her education. But Abigael, determined to continue her studies and aware of the dangers that lay ahead, fled to her grandmother's home. Despite economic hardship, she completed her primary education.
Two years later, Abigael returned home to find her father had taken a second wife. Enraged by her defiance, he disowned her, insisting she would only be his daughter if she underwent female genital mutilation (FGM) and early marriage. Her mother, disowned by her husband for supporting Abigael, continued to live on his homestead, surviving through menial jobs, but lacked the means to protect her daughter.
Determined to avoid the fate her father had chosen, Abigael escaped again, this time seeking help from the Child Protection Unit in her country, Kenya.
After authorities intervened, Abigael soon found herself enrolled in a local secondary school where World Vision teams were ready and waiting to offer support.
“I found more than just education here,” Abigael says gratefully. “I found love and safety.”
Abigael's passion for learning shines in her favourite subjects, biology and maths. "I want to be a nurse or doctor to help my community, especially girls and women," she explains. She draws strength from her friends and teachers, who have become her mentors, and from her mother, who continues to support her despite her own suffering from FGM and child marriage.
"Child marriage and FGM deprive children of their right to education and childhood," Abigael asserts. "Had I been married as my father wanted, I’d have four children by now. How could I care for a family as a child myself?"
Despite the adversity she's experienced, Abigael remains hopeful. She envisions building a life of her own choosing. "After completing my education, I want to marry a man of my choice and be able to provide for my children."
Driven by a desire to empower other girls, she strives to be a role model in her community. "I aim to show other girls the value of education," she says. "If I could change one thing, I would educate my community about the benefits of schooling for all and the harmful effects of FGM and child marriage."
Abigael's story is a testament to resilience and a beacon of hope for girls fighting for their right to education and a future free from oppressive traditions.
At 13, Emily faced the harsh reality common to many girls in her community in Kenya: she was expected to undergo female genital mutilation (FGM) and be married off. Her mother, Margret, abandoned by Emily's father, saw this as a way to generate some income from a dowry.
Aware of the dangers of FGM, Emily fled to a nearby rescue centre, where she joined other girls who had escaped similar fates. There, she met World Vision and found the support needed to rebuild her life. Determined to overcome her past, Emily aspired to one day become an engineer.
After secondary school, she returned home for the first time in eight years, unsure of what might await her. To her relief, Margret welcomed Emily with tears and apologies for the choices she had made.
Despite moving home, Emily never lost sight of her dream, and eventually received a scholarship to study electrical engineering. She later secured a stable job as a plant operator, earning respect in her community for breaking gender norms.
With her newfound independence, Emily bought her mother a plot of land, built her a house, and is supporting her younger brother with his university fees. Her achievements have brought pride to the whole family. Her mother now actively advocates for girls' rights and opposes FGM.
Emily is now a proud mother and provides her children with a quality life and education, free from the complications faced by girls who underwent FGM. She hopes to inspire more girls to pursue their dreams and fight against FGM and child marriage, envisioning a future where all girls are free to choose their paths.
At World Vision, we work directly with communities to confront FGM at its roots. We educate girls about their rights, engage local leaders to challenge harmful norms, and support families in creating safer futures for their children.
Through our Child Sponsorship programme, we empower girls with access to education, healthcare, and the tools they need to stand up against practices like FGM. By helping families break the cycle of poverty, we give them space to make informed choices, leading to lasting change.
By partnering with local systems and leaders, we address the deeper issues driving FGM, such as gender inequality and child marriage.
When you sponsor a girl, you’re doing more than changing one life – you’re helping shift entire communities toward a future where every girl is safe, educated, and free.
