A new set of urgent recommendations from the World Health Organization aims to curb the rise of medicalized female genital mutilation (FGM) and strengthen care for survivors. The guidance, released April 28, 2025, marks a significant step in the global effort to eradicate FGM and protect girls’ health and rights.
FGM involves partial or total removal of external female genitalia for non-medical reasons and carries serious health risks and human-rights violations. As more procedures are reported to be carried out by healthcare professionals—an trend known as medicalization—the WHO calls for stronger legal and policy actions to discourage this practice and to expand survivor support services. Health experts emphasize that no form of FGM is safe or ethical, regardless of the setting or provider.
The issue resonates in Thailand as well, where migration and cultural exchange intersect with international commitments to gender rights. Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health has noted isolated cases among migrant communities, underscoring the need for vigilant education and culturally sensitive healthcare, even though FGM is not widespread among the Thai population.
Globally, current estimates show more than 200 million women and girls living today have undergone FGM, with a rising share performed by doctors, nurses, and midwives. While some proponents argue medical settings reduce immediate harms, experts insist that any form of FGM is harmful and violates human-rights standards. The WHO stresses that there is no medical justification for FGM and that it breaches women’s and girls’ rights to health, safety, and bodily integrity.
The WHO’s policy guidance calls for governments to ban FGM, impose meaningful penalties for practitioners, and launch community education campaigns to dispel myths about supposed medical “safety.” It also provides guidance on managing health complications and delivering psychological support for survivors, addressing gaps often found in low-resource settings and among marginalized groups.
Thai officials participating in global women’s-rights initiatives welcome the move. While FGM is not a cultural norm in Thailand’s Buddhist-majority context, the country remains committed to protecting all girls and women through vigilant prevention and compassionate care. A spokesperson from the Public Health Ministry highlighted the need for confidential support, outreach to vulnerable communities, and healthcare-worker training to recognize and treat FGM-related injuries.
The WHO urges governments to increase funding for survivor services, embed FGM prevention in medical education, and collaborate with religious and community leaders to challenge harmful norms. Evidence shows that integrated approaches—strong legal frameworks, robust government backing, and community engagement—are most effective in reducing FGM rates.
Thailand’s progressive health education policies and its regional leadership role position it well to advance regional dialogues on gender rights. Ongoing awareness initiatives by non-governmental organizations near border areas address cross-border migration dynamics that can influence the issue. Public health authorities emphasize that prevention and care must go hand in hand.
Looking ahead, experts expect closer collaboration among public-health agencies, civil society, and affected communities to implement these recommendations. Thailand has an opportunity to spearhead regional discussions on women’s rights, strengthen protections for at-risk communities, and empower healthcare workers to provide respectful, confidential care to FGM survivors.
Key takeaways for Thai readers: recognize the global nature of FGM and its medicalized form, even if not common at home; support prevention, legal measures, and survivor care; and advocate for health systems that respect dignity and rights. Health professionals should become familiar with the WHO guidelines and integrate them into practice to safeguard the health and rights of all women and girls.
According to research from global health authorities, coordinated implementation and community-led strategies are essential to ending FGM, while ensuring comprehensive care for those affected.