Singapore

Population

5,832,449

2018 population growth rate

1.45%

Estimated prevalence among girls and women aged 15-49

Unknown. There are no studies on female genital cutting (FGC) in Singapore. It is widely assumed that the practice only occurs amongst Singapore’s Malay Muslims, who make up approximately 13% of the population. Prevalence within this group could be up to 100%.


Type practised

Girls in Singapore commonly undergo female genital cutting (FGC) Type I and Type IV, known as “sunat perempuan”.

Source: BBC


Age

Between birth and two weeks old, or on prepubescent girls.


Agent

Medical practitioner.


Legal status

Legal.


Challenges to progress

  • Singapore’s Islamic Religious Council, Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS), has reportedly advocated for FGC to be carried out, although all mention of the practice has been removed from its website.
  • Beliefs that a woman’s sexual desires should be controlled underpin the continuation of FGC in Singapore.
  • Lack of research and data on the practice make it difficult to challenge, since the scale of the issue is unknown.

Source: Reuters


Human Development Index ranking

9 in 2018 index, based on 2017 data.


Infant mortality rate

2.2 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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