Written by: Asmaa Afifi

Dr. Ahmed Sherif returned to Egypt following his participation in the GAERID Conference held in Cologne, Germany, where his keynote lecture on the social and economic impact of female genital mutilation (FGM) drew wide attention. Images of a fully packed hall listening intently to his presentation quickly circulated, reflecting the strong global interest in the topic. The lecture was notable for its clear data, verified statistics, and transparent discussion, making it essential to shed light on the full economic and social consequences of this practice.

Dr. Sherif explained that the strong resonance of his lecture stemmed from the clarity and honesty of the numbers 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, turning the practice into a serious international challenge that affects public health and national economies.

Focusing on Egypt, he noted that the country remains among the highest in prevalence, with approximately 87% of women aged 15–49 having experienced FGM. Although there has been a slight increase in the age at which the procedure is performed, the total number continues to grow due to population expansion. He added that the practice is no longer limited to traditional settings, but is increasingly carried out in clinics by medical personnel, giving it a misleading “medical” appearance while significantly increasing its harm and financial burden on the state.

Regarding economic losses, Dr. Sherif highlighted that treating FGM-related complications in Egypt costs the country an estimated $20 billion over the lifetime of each affected woman—including $14 billion for gynecological and urological complications and $6 billion related to childbirth issues. He stressed that chronic pain and psychological trauma reduce women’s ability to work and contribute fully to society, resulting in lost productivity at the family, community, and national levels.

Comparing the situation to Europe, he explained that while prevalence rates there are below 1%, the annual cost of medical treatment and psychological and social support still reaches €1–2 billion, with global costs estimated at $1.4 billion annually. These figures demonstrate that everyone bears the cost of a problem that could largely be prevented through education and awareness, highlighting cooperation between Egypt and Europe as a smart long-term investment rather than merely a humanitarian effort.

Dr. Sherif also addressed the role of the International Association of Aesthetic and Urogynecological Surgery (IAAUG), which he co-founded with Dr. Doaa Saleh, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology. The organization was established as a scientific and humanitarian partnership aimed at treating FGM complications and training physicians to manage cases properly. To date, IAAUG has trained more than 2,500 doctors and provided 200 free reconstructive surgeries for affected women and girls. The association follows a simple yet impactful model: for every doctor trained, two patients receive full treatment free of charge—turning education into real, measurable change in people’s lives.

Explaining the strong engagement at the GAERID Conference, Dr. Sherif noted that the global community increasingly recognizes FGM not merely as a cultural issue, but as an ongoing social and economic hemorrhage. There is a genuine willingness among European and international institutions to be part of the solution through education, training, and collaborative action, with IAAUG ready to operate anywhere—from Europe and the Middle East to Africa and Asia.

He concluded with a clear message to society

“FGM is not just a women’s issue—it is a national, economic, and future-oriented issue. Every girl we protect and every case we treat is a step forward. Every doctor we train becomes a new source of light in reducing this practice. As the Germans say: Gemeinsam sind wir stark—together, we are stronger.”

Dr. Sherif emphasized that all figures and data presented are based on trusted 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 journals focused on women’s health and human development. These sources aim to provide a transparent and accurate picture of the scale of the problem and raise awareness among policymakers and the public about the true human and economic cost of this practice.

About Dr. Ahmed Sherif Dr. Ahmed Sherif holds an honorary PhD in Marketing and Business Administration from Lancaster Academy, UK, as well as an MBA and a Business Administration Diploma from Cairo University. He is the CEO of Alpha Centauri, a company specializing in medical marketing and conference organization, and the co-founder of IAAUG, a leading international organization dedicated to physician training and the treatment of FGM-related complications.