Female Genital Mutilation affects hundreds of thousands across Europe; legal and support challenges persist despite varying national laws.
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Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), a practice prevalent in parts of Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, has become present in Europe primarily through recent waves of immigration. Estimates suggest around 600,000 women and girls in Europe are affected by FGM consequences, with another 190,000 considered at risk. The prevalence varies significantly across member states, with the highest numbers reported in France, the UK, Germany, Italy, Austria, and Ireland. In Hungary, while victims exist, there is a lack of current or representative data; previous estimates suggest between 170 and 350 women and girls may have undergone FGM, and authorities registered 121 additional cases related to FGM injuries among asylum seekers in 2014. A key challenge noted by the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) is the extreme lack of data, with many estimates being indirect. Regarding legislation, Hungary lacks a specific anti-FGM law, though general offenses can apply, and it lacks extraterritorial jurisdiction. In Ireland, an advocacy group estimates nearly 6,000 women and girls are affected, mainly from Sub-Saharan Africa, yet convictions remain rare despite strict laws. Investigating these cases is complex due to victims’ fear or lack of awareness, and official statistics are limited; healthcare and social workers are crucial but require specialized training, which Ireland provides through support programs and dedicated centers. In Italy, over 87,000 women live with FGM consequences, mostly from African nations like Nigeria, Somalia, Eritrea, and Ethiopia, though prosecutions remain infrequent despite existing prohibitions. Austria has around 11,000 affected women, primarily from Egypt and Somalia, with laws allowing up to ten years in prison even for overseas perpetrators; healthcare professionals are obligated to report suspected cases. France’s Ministry of Gender Equality reports 139,000 victims, and its law criminalizes FGM committed abroad, potentially leading to up to twenty years imprisonment if the perpetrator is a parent or guardian. Across Europe, major difficulties include early detection, lack of professional training, insufficient official data, and complex prosecution processes; while strict laws exist, actual convictions are infrequent, and access to support depends on local specialized centers. Prevention efforts focus on community awareness and staff training, but the number of at-risk girls remains high, demanding sustained national and European resources and coordinated policies for victim protection.
