Although criminalized in Guinea-Bissau since 2018, female genital mutilation continues to be practiced in many communities, mainly for cultural and religious reasons often rooted in the lower status of women and girls.

Female genital mutilation (FGM) involves injuring or removing female genitalia for non-medical reasons. Perpetuated by biased gender norms, it can lead to serious health complications including severe infection, chronic pain, depression, infertility, and death. It is internationally recognized as a human rights violation.

“I don’t want what I’ve been through to happen to other women and girls. This made me reflect on the need to sensitize others and save lives,” Djenabu, a survivor of FGM, told us. Djenabu had hemorrhages during the deliveries for each of her four children due to consequences of FGM from when she was younger.

Now, Djenabu works with UNFPA across 20 communities to speak out about the dangers of this harmful practice. She hosts community dialogues to eliminate FGM paying particular attention to religious and tribal elders who are often key to winning over other members of the community.

There are many challenges to this work, but the advocacy is making a difference.

So we’re asking: Will you make a gift today to help end female genital mutilation? Your generous donations are making a difference by funding critical advocacy work in communities where women and girls are still impacted by this horrific practice.

Over 200 million women and girls alive today have undergone female genital mutilation. This year, the number of people being subjected to it is expected to increase as conflict, climate change, rising poverty and inequality hinder efforts to eliminate the practice.

Speaking of the potentially deadly impact the practice had on her, Djenabu told us, “I am lucky to be alive — some may not have the same fate.”

As more than half of all women and girls ages 15 to 19 in Guinea-Bissau have experienced female genital mutilation, UNFPA is strengthening the capacity of local leaders like Djenabu to better advocate at all levels, from the community to decision makers.

Last year in Guinea-Bissau, UNFPA launched four men’s and boys’ clubs to try and instigate behavior change to address gender stereotypes and biases. Over 140 young people were also trained in legal aspects of ending female genital mutilation. And the stigma around talking about women’s bodies is falling away.

“Nowadays religious and traditional leaders are talking openly about female genital mutilation, which was taboo before,” explained Fatumata during one of the dialogues. “In the past, women would not even participate in such meetings in the presence of their husbands.”

Your gifts are helping change minds and change lives. But with millions of women and girls still at risk of FGM, we cannot stop now.

Make a gift today to help end violence against women and the harmful practice of female genital mutilation.

Thank you for supporting women and girls and being a part of this critical work.

— USA for UNFPA