Girls and women from different communities in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and South America are circumcised. Depending on the location and the community, there are differences – even within the same country. These include the number of girls and women affected by circumcision, the nature of the procedure and the reasons for circumcision.

Living in Europe, Australia, Canada or the United States unfortunately does not protect girls and women from circumcision. Although female circumcision is not a tradition in these countries and is strictly forbidden, it is still practiced by certain families. The risk of being circumcised exists for girls and women both in the host country and in the country of origin. For example, girls living in European countries may be circumcised during the summer holidays when traveling to their parents’ country of origin.