Germany

Type practised

The type of FGC practised by communities in Germany is likely to be varied, depending on the traditions surrounding the practice within their ethnic group/country of heritage.

Age

The average age at which girls living in Germany have undergone FGC is unknown. Girls at risk may undergo FGC from birth, approximately up until the age of 16, depending on the traditional age of cutting within a specific ethnic group.

Agent

Varied. Girls living in Germany may be at risk of undergoing the practice within the country, or overseas. This could be carried out by a medical practitioner, or by a traditional cutter.

Legal status

Illegal. In Germany, FGC cases can be prosecuted as bodily harm. The country also made it illegal take a girl overseas to undergo FGC in 2015.

National progress

• 1997 – The German government condemned FGC, and called for common action to end the practice.
• 2014 – 2017 – Germany donated to the UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme.

Human Development Index ranking

5 in 2018 index, based on 2017 data.

Infant mortality rate

3.2 deaths per 1,000 live births (2016).

Maternal mortality rate

6 deaths per 100,000 live births (2015).

Source: Human Development Index

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