Dr. Ahmed Sherif Returns to Egypt After GAERID Conference in Cologne, Highlighting the Health, Social, and Economic Impact of Female Genital Mutilation

Dr. Ahmed Sherif has returned to Egypt following his participation in the GAERID Conference held in Cologne, Germany. His lecture, which addressed the social and economic consequences of female genital mutilation (FGM), attracted significant attention—especially after images of a fully packed hall circulated, showing strong audience engagement throughout his presentation. The lecture focused on precise figures and verified statistics, emphasizing the urgent need to clearly understand the economic and social dimensions of this phenomenon.

Dr. Sherif explained that the strong impact of his lecture was driven by the clarity of the data and the directness of its presentation. According to UNICEF, more than 230 million girls and women worldwide have undergone FGM—a staggering figure that continues to rise with global population growth. This makes FGM a global challenge with far-reaching consequences for public health and national economies.

Regarding Egypt, Dr. Sherif noted that the country remains among those with the highest prevalence rates, with approximately 87% of women aged 15–49 having undergone FGM. Despite a slight improvement in the age at which the practice is performed, the overall number continues to increase due to population growth. He added that FGM is no longer limited to traditional practices, but is sometimes performed in clinics by medical personnel—giving it a false medical legitimacy while increasing its risks and financial burden on the state.

On the economic front, Dr. Sherif highlighted that treating FGM-related complications in Egypt costs the state an estimated USD 20 billion over the lifetime of each affected woman—including USD 14 billion for gynecological and urinary complications and USD 6 billion for childbirth-related issues. He emphasized that chronic pain and psychological trauma reduce women’s ability to work at full capacity, resulting in productivity losses that affect families, communities, and the national economy.

When comparing the situation in Europe, he noted that while prevalence rates there are below 1%, the annual cost of medical treatment and psychological and social support still reaches EUR 1–2 billion, with global annual costs estimated at around USD 1.4 billion. These figures demonstrate that the burden of FGM is shared globally—and that prevention through education and awareness would have been far more cost-effective. This also positions cooperation between Egypt and Europe as a strategic investment in the future, rather than a purely humanitarian effort.

Dr. Sherif also highlighted the role of the International Association of Aesthetic and Urogynecological Surgery (IAAUG), which was founded through a humanitarian and scientific partnership between him and Dr. Doaa Saleh, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology. The organization aims to address the consequences of FGM and train physicians in proper, evidence-based management. To date, IAAUG has trained more than 2,500 doctors and provided 200 free surgical procedures for affected women and girls. Its model is simple yet impactful: for every doctor trained, two patients receive full treatment free of charge—transforming training into tangible, life-changing outcomes.

Explaining the strong engagement at the GAERID Conference, Dr. Sherif stated that the global community now understands that FGM is not merely a cultural issue, but an ongoing social and economic drain. There is growing interest among European and international institutions to contribute to sustainable solutions through education, training, and joint action. IAAUG, he added, is ready to operate anywhere—from Europe and the Middle East to Africa and Asia.

He concluded with a clear message

“FGM is not only a women’s issue—it is an issue of nationhood, economy, and future. Every girl we protect and every case we treat is a step forward. Every doctor trained with us is a new light helping to reduce this practice. As the Germans say: Gemeinsam sind wir stark—together, we are stronger.”

Dr. Sherif also emphasized that all data and figures presented in his lecture are based on reliable international sources, including UNICEF reports (2024), World Health Organization (WHO) publications on the health and economic impact of FGM, and peer-reviewed economic studies published in international journals specializing in women’s health and human development. These sources aim to provide a transparent and accurate picture of the scale of the problem and to raise awareness among policymakers and the public about the 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, along with an MBA and a Diploma in Business Administration 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 organization in physician training and the treatment of FGM-related complications.