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Estimating the indirect prevalence of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting in Switzerland
Sara Cottler-Casanova, Jasmine Abdulcadir ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study estimates how many women and girls living in Switzerland have experienced or are at risk of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). Researchers used migration data and FGM/C prevalence rates from 30 countries where the practice is common to calculate indirect estimates. The estimated number of affected women and girls in Switzerland nearly doubled from 2010 to 2018, primarily because more migrants from high-prevalence countries have moved to Switzerland.
Key points
- Estimated 9,059 women and girls affected or at risk in 2010
- Estimated 21,706 women and girls affected or at risk in 2018
- The increase reflects growth in migrant populations from 30 high-prevalence FGM/C countries
- Study used Yoder and Van Baelen's extrapolation method applied to DHS and MICS prevalence data
- More than doubling over the decade despite no change in practice rates themselves
Limitations
The study provides indirect estimates based on country-level prevalence data applied to migrant populations, not direct measurement of actual FGM/C cases in Switzerland, so actual prevalence could differ. The method cannot account for individual variation within migrant communities or changes in practice rates among specific populations over time.
Abstract
Abstract ObjectiveTo update the indirect prevalence estimates for women and girls living with Female Genital Mutilation Cutting (FGM/C) in Switzerland, using data from the Swiss Federal Statistical Office of migrant women and girls born in one of the 30 high-prevalence FGM/C countries that are currently living in Switzerland. MethodsWe used Yoder and Van Baelen’s “Extrapolation of FGM/C Countries’ Prevalence Data” method, where we applied DHS and MICS prevalence figures from the 30 countries when FGM/C is practiced, and applied them to the immigrant women and girls living in Switzerland from the same 30 countries.ResultsIn 2010, the estimated indirect prevalence was 9,059 whereas in 2018, the estimated indirect prevalence was 21,706 women and girls living with or at risk of FGM/C.ConclusionOver the past decade, there have been significant increases in the number of estimated women and girls living with or at risk of FGM/C in Switzerland due to the increase in the total number of women and girls originally coming form the countries where the practice of FGM/C is traditional.