The Ministry of Health of the Government of the Canary Islands, on the occasion of the commemoration this Friday, February 6, of the World Day for Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, reports that professionals from the Canary Health Service (SCS) detected during the year 2025 a total of 124 cases of women who had undergone this practice, considered a serious violation of human rights and a form of gender-based violence
Female genital mutilation (FGM) consists of the total or partial ablation of the external female genitalia for non-therapeutic reasons and affects more than 200 million women and girls in the world, mainly in sub-Saharan African countries, although also in some regions of Asia and Latin America. This practice generates significant physical, psychological, sexual, and obstetric consequences in the short, medium, and long term
Detection in the healthcare field
In the Canary Islands, there is no record of cases of female genital mutilation practiced in the territory, but rather detection occurs mostly in migrant women who arrive on the islands after having undergone this practice in their countries of origin. Likewise, the SCS identifies minors from families originating from countries where female genital mutilation persists, who are at risk, especially when traveling to their countries of origin.
Detection can be complex, as it is an underdiagnosed problem, which many women live through in silence due to fear, shame, or lack of knowledge of available resources. Usually, diagnosis is made indirectly, when patients consult for symptoms derived from the sequelae of mutilation.
Pregnancy constitutes an especially relevant moment for detection, both in migrant women who arrive pregnant in the Canary Islands, and in those who already reside on the islands and are attended to during pregnancy follow-up in Primary Care and hospital services.
Specific action protocols
The SCS has specific protocols that expressly include action in cases of female genital mutilation, which are activated in all detected cases, guaranteeing a comprehensive, coordinated, and respectful approach to the affected women and minors
FGM is specifically included in:
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The Healthcare Protocol for Migrant Minors (Children in Motion), published in April 2023, which establishes guidelines for early detection, prevention, and protection against the risk of female genital mutilation in girls and adolescents.
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The Protocol for gynecological-obstetric care of pregnant and postpartum women in migratory processes, published in December 2021, which includes the identification of FGM during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care, as well as attention to its possible complications.
These documents include the definition and typology of FGM, its prevalence by country, the health consequences, care pathways, referral to other health and social professionals and, in the case of minors, a preventive commitment model, whereby parents or guardians undertake not to subject their daughters to this practice during trips to their countries of origin. This commitment is incorporated into the electronic health record and is available in several languages
Training and preventive approach
The approach to female genital mutilation in the Canary Islands is also supported by the continuous training of health professionals. For years, the SCS has been conducting accredited workshops on healthcare for the migrant population, primarily aimed at primary care professionals, in which the detection, prevention, and care of FGM are specifically addressed.
The Ministry of Health recalls that female genital mutilation is an extreme form of gender-based violence that requires a firm response from the health system, based on prevention, early detection, comprehensive care, and the protection of girls and women, from a human rights and zero tolerance approach.