Dr. Ahmed Sherif Returns to Egypt After GAERID Conference in Cologne: Female Genital Mutilation Is a Health, Social, and Economic Crisis

Dr. Ahmed Sherif has returned to Egypt following his participation in the GAERID Conference in Cologne, Germany, where his keynote lecture on the societal and economic impact of female genital mutilation (FGM) drew wide attention. Images of a fully packed hall and an audience listening attentively quickly circulated, reflecting the strong engagement with a presentation that relied on clear data, transparent figures, and direct analysis of one of the world’s most persistent challenges.

Dr. Sherif explained that the strong resonance of the lecture was driven by the clarity of the numbers and the honesty with which they were presented. According to UNICEF, more than 230 million women and girls worldwide have undergone FGM—a staggering figure that continues to rise with global population growth. This makes the practice not only a health issue, but a growing global challenge with serious economic consequences for nations.

Focusing on Egypt, Dr. Sherif highlighted that the country remains among those with the highest prevalence rates, with approximately 87% of women aged 15–49 having been subjected to FGM. While there has been a slight shift toward performing the practice at a later age, the total number of affected women continues to increase due to population growth. He also noted a troubling trend: FGM is no longer limited to traditional settings, but is increasingly performed in clinics by medical personnel, giving it a false sense of legitimacy while significantly increasing both its risks and its cost to the state.

On the economic front, Dr. Sherif explained that treating the long-term complications of FGM in Egypt costs the country an estimated $20 billion over the lifetime of each affected woman. This includes approximately $14 billion related to gynecological and urological complications, and $6 billion linked to childbirth-related issues. Beyond direct healthcare costs, chronic pain, psychological trauma, and reduced well-being prevent many women from working at full capacity, resulting in substantial productivity losses at the family and societal levels.

Comparing this to Europe, he noted that although the prevalence there is below 1%, the cost of medical treatment, psychological support, and social services still ranges between €1–2 billion annually. Globally, the total economic burden is estimated at around $1.4 billion per year. These figures, he emphasized, demonstrate that the financial and human cost of FGM is shared by all—and that prevention through education and awareness would be far more effective and sustainable. In this context, cooperation between Egypt and Europe should be seen as a smart long-term investment, not merely a humanitarian effort.

Dr. Sherif also spoke about the role of the International Association of Aesthetic and Urogynecological Surgery (IAAUG), which was founded through a humanitarian and scientific partnership between himself and Dr. Doaa Saleh, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology. The organization focuses on treating the consequences of FGM and training physicians on proper, ethical, and evidence-based management of affected cases. To date, IAAUG has trained more than 2,500 doctors and provided 200 free surgical procedures for women and girls suffering from FGM complications. The model is simple yet impactful: for every doctor trained, two patients receive full treatment at no cost—ensuring that education translates into real change in people’s lives.

As for the strong engagement at the GAERID Conference, Dr. Sherif noted that the global community is increasingly recognizing that FGM is not merely a cultural issue, but an ongoing social and economic drain. International and European institutions are showing genuine willingness to contribute to solutions through education, training, and joint initiatives. He emphasized that IAAUG stands ready to operate anywhere—across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, or Asia.

He concluded with a clear message to society

“Female genital mutilation is not just a women’s issue—it is a national issue, an economic issue, and a future issue. Every girl we protect and every woman we treat is a step forward. Every doctor we train becomes a new light helping to reduce this practice. As the Germans say: Gemeinsam sind wir stark—together, we are stronger.”

Dr. Sherif stressed that all data and figures presented during the lecture were based on reliable international sources, including UNICEF reports (2024), World Health Organization (WHO) studies on the health and economic impacts of FGM, and peer-reviewed economic research published in international scientific journals specializing in women’s health and human development. The goal, he emphasized, is to provide decision-makers and the public with a transparent and accurate picture of the true human and economic cost of this practice.

About Dr. Ahmed Sherif Dr. Ahmed Sherif holds an honorary doctorate in Marketing and Business Administration from Lancaster Academy (UK), as well as an MBA and a Diploma in Business Administration from Cairo University. He is the CEO of Alpha Centauri, a company specializing in marketing and medical conference organization, and the co-founder of the International Association of Aesthetic and Urogynecological Surgery (IAAUG), a leading organization in physician training and the treatment of complications resulting from female genital mutilation.