Portugal

10,270,922

-0.37%

Number of girls and women affected

There are no national statistics on FGC in Portugal. In 2011, 5 to 23% of 5,835 girls were thought to be at risk in Portugal, according to a study by the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE).

The practice is not indigenous to Portugal, however FGC has been known to continue within some diaspora, refugee and immigrant populations.

Source: EIGE

Type practised

The type of FGC practised by communities in Portugal 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 Portugal 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 Portugal 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

There is no specific law against FGC in Portugal however there has been criminal law provision since 2007, which refers to the crime of bodily injury. This provision means the practice can be addressed as a form of “depriving or affecting someone’s capacity of sexual fruition”.

Source: EIGE

National progress

• 2009 – Portugal developed its ‘First Programme of Action for the Elimination of FGM’. A subsequent two action plans were developed for the periods 2011-2013 and 2014-2017.

Human Development Index ranking

41 in 2018 index, based on 2017 data.

Infant mortality rate

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

Maternal mortality rate

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

Source: Human Development Index

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