Female genital mutilation in Europe: numbers, laws and challenges
Despite strict laws, convictions remain rare and case tracking is complex
by Silvia Martelli (Il Sole 24 Ore), Patricia Devlin (The Journal Investigates, Ireland) and Ann Wiener (Der Standard, Austria)
3' min read
3' min read
Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a human rights violation that continues to affect hundreds of thousands of women and girls in Europe. The practice, widespread in parts of Africa, the Middle East and Asia, has arrived on the continent mainly through migration flows in recent decades. The growing presence of communities from countries where FGM is practised has led to increased institutional attention, but also to significant challenges in detection, prevention, victim protection and punishment of perpetrators.
According to estimates by the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE), approximately 600,000 women and girls in Europe live with the consequences of FGM, while another 190,000 are considered to be at risk. The prevalence of the practice is heterogeneous: countries such as France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Austria and Ireland register the highest number of women and girls affected, mainly among migrant communities from Africa, the Middle East and Asia.
Ireland: challenges in detection and justice
In Ireland, AkiDwA estimates that almost 6,000 women and girls are affected by FGM, with cases detected mainly among communities from sub-Saharan Africa. Although strict legislation exists, convictions remain rare. The first conviction in the country was in 2020, but joint sentences were later overturned, raising doubts about the ability of the justice system to protect victims and punish perpetrators.
Case tracking is complex: many victims do not report out of fear, stigmatisation or lack of awareness, and official statistics are limited. Health and social workers have key roles in monitoring, but require specific training. Ireland offers support programmes such as specialised centres for women and girls at risk and awareness-raising campaigns aimed at communities. However, prevention remains fragmented and the resources available are not always sufficient.
Italy: an underwater reality
In Italy, it is estimated that more than 87 thousand women live with the consequences of FGM, of whom about 7 thousand are minors. These figures emerge from studies conducted by institutions such as the Istituto Superiore di Sanità and the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore. Most of the women affected come from African countries such as Nigeria, Somalia, Eritrea and Ethiopia. Despite the presence of laws prohibiting the practice, case detection is complex, and convictions are rare. Awareness-raising and training initiatives for health workers are ongoing, but remain insufficient to adequately address the phenomenon.
