Singapore

5,832,449

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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