Story perspectives

Over 1 Million FGM Cases in Southeast Asia Demand Action

2/6/2026

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Advocates Combat FGM/C

Over one million cases of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) have been reported in Southeast Asia.
In Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore, medicalized FGM/C procedures are common and often misperceived as safer.
Although regional frameworks exist, such as ASEAN's Gender Mainstreaming Strategic Framework, FGM/C is not prioritized.
Advocacy is essential to include FGM/C in human rights agendas, and strategies must address legal frameworks, medicalization, and cultural beliefs to end the practice.

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Survivors Empower FGM Fight

In Tanzania's Mara region, communities challenge female genital mutilation, addressing a practice affecting more than 230 million women worldwide.
Nearly 4.5 million girls remain at risk in 2026, underscoring ongoing prevention needs.
Survivor leadership, including Olivia Albert (survivor advocate), drives change by sharing experiences to empower communities.
A 2025 fatwa in Djibouti, Eritrea, and Somalia says no religious justification for FGM, while Ethiopia urges men and boys to oppose it.

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Advocates Combat FGM/C

Over one million cases of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) have been reported in Southeast Asia.
In Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore, medicalized FGM/C procedures are common and often misperceived as safer.
Although regional frameworks exist, such as ASEAN's Gender Mainstreaming Strategic Framework, FGM/C is not prioritized.
Advocacy is essential to include FGM/C in human rights agendas, and strategies must address legal frameworks, medicalization, and cultural beliefs to end the practice.

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