Peer-reviewed article
Addressing female genital mutilation in the Asia Pacific: the neglected sustainable development target
Angela J Dawson, Abdul Rashid, Rashidah Shuib, Kolitha Prabhash Wickramage, Meiwita Paulina Budiharsana et al. ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This paper addresses female genital mutilation (FGM) in the Asia Pacific region as a neglected sustainable development target. FGM is defined as the partial or total removal of external female genitalia for non-therapeutic reasons and is a deeply entrenched cultural practice. The practice affects over 200 million women and girls globally and is associated with serious physical, sexual and psychosocial complications including injury, disability and death. While prevalence is decreasing in some countries, it is increasing overall due to population growth.
Key points
- FGM affects more than 200 million women and girls globally
- The practice is associated with adverse obstetric outcomes and serious immediate and long-term complications
- FGM is a deeply entrenched cultural practice also known as female genital cutting or female circumcision
- Prevalence is decreasing in some countries but increasing overall due to population growth
- FGM elimination is a neglected sustainable development target in the Asia Pacific region
Limitations
The document provides definitional and epidemiological information but does not describe specific interventions, regional data for Asia Pacific countries, or evidence of what works to address FGM in this region.
Abstract
Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target focuses on the elimination of all harmful practices including female genital mutilation (FGM), a deeply entrenched cultural practice also referred to as female genital cutting or female circumcision. FGM is defined as the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia for non-therapeutic reasons. It is strongly associated with adverse obstetric outcomes and serious immediate and long-term physical, sexual and psychosocial complications resulting in excruciating injuries, disability and death. The practice affects more than 200 million woman and girls globally and while the prevalence is decreasing in some countries it is increasing overall due to population growth.