New estimates on female genital mutilation (FGM) in Italy have been presented. According to a study conducted by Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca and Alma Mater Studiorum – Università di Bologna, there are approximately 88,500 women in Italy who have undergone FGM — a 1% increase compared to estimates published in 2019 by Milano-Bicocca.
The figures were presented on 23 October in the Council Hall of Città Metropolitana di Milano at Palazzo Isimbardi. The event was promoted by the two universities in collaboration with Amref Health Africa.
FGM is a violation of human rights affecting at least 230 million women worldwide.
“In several countries, we are seeing significant reductions: young women undergo FGM less frequently than adults,” said Patrizia Farina (Milano-Bicocca) and Livia Ortensi (Bologna), who led the research together with Alessio Menonna from Fondazione ISMU, as part of the Progetto DORA. “As of 1 January 2023, we estimate that around 88,500 women over the age of 15 who have undergone FGM live in Italy, the vast majority (98%) of whom were born abroad.”
The highest prevalence is among women over 50, decreasing with age. The communities with the highest absolute numbers are Egyptian, Nigerian and Ethiopian, while the highest prevalence is among Somali (97.8%), Sudanese (90.8%) and Guinean (91.5%) women. An estimated 16,000 girls under the age of 15 in Italy are at potential risk.
“More and more people in my community are talking openly about FGM and promoting change,” said Paola Crestani, President of Amref Health Africa – Italia. “Those words aren’t mine — they belong to one of the many young people with migrant backgrounds who, through the Y-ACT project, have broken taboos and given voice to silence. Dialogue with communities and stakeholders is the only way forward. It’s a challenge that must be strengthened at all levels, but it also gives us hope, given the decline in FGM among younger generations.”
The event, “FGM: New estimates and new generations. Interregional training and awareness-raising event on female genital mutilation”, was introduced by institutional representatives.
Diana De Marchi, Delegate for Social Policies, Labour and Equal Opportunities of the Metropolitan City of Milan, said:
“Combating FGM requires a coordinated strategy between institutions, associations and healthcare organisations. Raising awareness is not enough: we must implement concrete measures to stop this practice, which is both a form of gender-based violence and a violation of women’s rights.”
Elena Buscemi, President of the Milan City Council, added:
“This is still a subject that receives too little attention and is wrongly considered distant from us. These harmful practices continue to affect many families, often shrouded in silence and submission. Institutions have a duty to support those who work to prevent and combat FGM, accompanying women and families through dialogue, awareness-raising and healthcare.”
Maria Carmela Rozza, Regional Councillor of Regione Lombardia, also highlighted:
“Institutions are grateful to the associations working on this crucial issue. Today’s data show how essential grassroots work and dialogue are in fostering social and cultural change.”
The research — to be officially published in the coming weeks — identifies several protective factors against FGM, including higher education levels, longer migration history, country of birth, not having undergone FGM, and being second-generation.
Young people were at the heart of the event. Several participants from the Y-ACT project — co-funded by the European Union and now supported by MSD — shared their experiences. Among the 30 members of the youth network were Rowida Ibrahim Khalaf Alla Ghaleb Abdelaziz, Shahd Newir, Sara El Nagar, Jasmina El Shouraky and Esraa Newir.
“It’s important to make it clear that FGM is not just a distant issue,” said Esraa Newir. “Many who have experienced it live here, in our neighbourhoods and communities. For some, telling their story through Y-ACT was the first time they had ever spoken about it. Our role was not to judge but to open doors, to listen and welcome. Only when a woman can speak freely in her own voice does her story stop being pain — and become power.”
Also present was Giancarlo Santone, Director of the SaMiFo – Salute Migranti Forzati Centre of ASL Roma 1, who presented best practices developed in the Regione Lazio public health service. Among them is the “health passport”, a multilingual document designed to prevent FGM, particularly among younger generations.
A follow-up event on FGM will be held in Rome on 8 November.