Urgent measures are needed to curtail the rising “medicalization” of female genital mutilation (FGM) and to engage health workers to prevent the practice, according to a new guideline published today by the World Health Organization (WHO).

While the health sector plays a key role in stopping FGM and supporting survivors, in several parts of the world, evidence suggests the practice is now increasingly performed by health workers. As of 2020, an estimated 52 million girls and women were subjected to FGM at the hands of health workers - around 1 in 4 cases.

The new WHO guideline, titled The prevention of female genital mutilation and clinical management of complications, provides recommendations to both prevent the practice and ensure evidence-based care for survivors, covering actions for the health sector, governments, and affected communities.

“Female genital mutilation is a severe violation of girls’ rights and critically endangers their health,” said Dr Pascale Allotey, WHO’s Director for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, and the United Nations’ Special Programme for Human Reproduction (HRP). “The health sector has an essential role in preventing FGM – health workers must be agents for change rather than perpetrators of this harmful practice, and must also provide high quality medical care for those suffering its effects.”