Estimations about Female Genital Mutilation in Germany

Terre des Femmes, a German CSO working on the issue of FGM, published in 2013 a calculation of estimated numbers of women and girls affected by FGM and of girls at risk of FGM in Germany. The calculations are based on the figures (obtained from the German Statistical Office) of girls and women registered in Germany, but with the nationality of one of the 28 considered African countries where FGM is practiced (all countries considered by UNICEF, except Yemen). Based on the UNICEF data, the median age of cut in each country of origin was calculated, and subsequently the extrapolation-of-African-prevalence-data-method was applied: 1) on the number of girls below the median age of cut, and 2) on the number of girls and women above the median age of cut. By doing so, the estimated numbers of 1) girls and women with FGM (i.e. 24.997) and of 2) girls at risk of being subjected to FGM (2.500) were obtained. The publication underlines that these estimates undervalue the actual numbers for the following reasons: girls and women of African origin who have been naturalised are excluded, as are stateless and undocumented girls and women; only girls and women from African origin are considered, while FGM is also practised in some Arab and South-East Asian communities. Moreover, while the UNICEF report indicates a downward trend in the practice of FGM in African countries, such trend does not necessarily exist amongst diaspora communities who tend to cling to values and traditions from their home countries.

Data Collection

Author(s)

Terre des Femmes

Year of data collection

2013

Study population

Girls and women registered in Germany (data obtained through the German Statistical Office) with the nationality of one of the 28 considered African countries where FGM is practiced (all countries considered by UNICEF, except Yemen).

Prevalence data on FGM

1) girls and women that underwent FGM: 24.997

2) girls at risk of being subjected to FGM: 2.500

Disaggregated data per country of origin

28 African countries where FGM is documented.

Disaggregated data per age

n/a

Limitations of study

The publication underlines that FGM prevalence and risk estimates undervalue the actual numbers for the following reasons:

• girls and women of African origin who have been naturalised are excluded, as are stateless and undocumented girls and women;
• only girls and women from African origin are considered, while FGM is also practised in some Arab and South-East Asian communities.
• while the UNICEF report indicates a downward trend in the practice of FGM in African countries, such trend does not necessarily exist amongst diaspora communities.