- FGM/C Research Initiative

Regional Prevalence

FGM is reported in at least five Middle Eastern countries: Iraq, Iran, Oman, the UAE and Yemen

It is, furthermore, suspected that FGM is practised within the large African diaspora communities in the Middle East, especially those from from countries with high rates of FGM practice such as Egypt, Sudan, Somalia and Ethiopia. IOM data would suggest that the largest of these at-risk diaspora communities are in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan, Oman, Israel and Lebanon.

Stop FGM Middle East is a reliable source of further information on FGM in the region.

Highest Prevalence

Among countries that have available data, prevalence is highest among the Iraqi Kurdistan communities (37.5%).

African Diaspora

Many of the communities who practice FGM/C in the Middle East are African diaspora from Egypt, Somalia, Sudan and Ethiopia.

No Legislation

Only Oman and Iraq (Kurdistan) have specific laws to ban FGM/C.

Lack of Data

FGM/C is known to be practiced in Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Yemen but data on FGM/C prevalence and practice in most of these countries is not available.

Middle East

Regional Prevalence

Highest Prevalence

African Diaspora

No Legislation

Lack of Data

Country Profiles