Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) has no medical justification and no health benefits. Rather, it increases the risks of physical, mental and sexual health complications, both in the short-term and in the long-term. It involves removing and injuring healthy and normal female genital tissue, interfering with the natural functions of girls' and women's bodies. It is a harmful practice and is unacceptable from a human rights and public health perspective.

WHO is opposed to all forms of FGM.

HRP supports WHO in its public health approach to FGM. WHO works to ensure that girls and women living with FGM receive quality medical care and counselling, while also generating and compiling evidence to inform programmes and policies for the health sector and beyond, as well as developing advocacy tools to support efforts to prevent FGM. Efforts include:

• developing guidelines, tools and training materials  to ensure that health professionals provide the necessary care and support to girls and women living with FGM;
• building evidence about the causes, consequences and costs of the practice;
• strengthening person-centered communication skills of health workers to communicate effectively, empathically and in a sensitive way when discussing FGM and offering prevention services;
• advocacy efforts at the international, regional and national levels to end FGM, including developing tools for policy makers and advocates to estimate the health burden of FGM and the potential public health benefits and cost savings of preventing FGM.