Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) remains a widespread human rights violation affecting millions of girls and women across the world. According to UNICEF’s 2024 estimates, over 230 million girls and women globally are living with the consequences of FGM. Despite global commitments to end the practice, about 4.5 million girls are still at risk every year.
Often defended as culture or tradition, FGM has no health benefits and causes lifelong physical, emotional, and psychological harm. It is most commonly carried out on young girls who have no choice or voice, stripping them of bodily autonomy, dignity, and safety. This makes FGM not just a health concern but a serious form of gender-based violence.

The Reality in Nigeria
Nigeria remains one of the countries with the highest number of FGM survivors. As of 2023–2024, an estimated 20 million Nigerian women and girls have undergone FGM, accounting for about 10% of the global total. National survey data from 2021 show that 15% of women aged 15–49 have experienced FGM, while 8% of girls aged 0–14 have already been cut. In many cases, the practice occurs before the age of five.
YcDEI’s Commitment

At YcDEI, we stand firmly against female genital mutilation and all harmful practices that violate the rights of girls and women. We believe every girl deserves to grow up safe, empowered, and free to make decisions about her own body and future. Ending FGM is essential to advancing dignity, equality, and inclusive development.
Zero tolerance means zero excuses. It means choosing education over silence, protection over harmful norms, and action over complacency. A future free from FGM is possible if we act together.