Dr. Ahmed Sherif Returns to Cairo After GAERID Conference, Warning: Female Genital Mutilation Is a Health, Economic, and Social Threat to the Future

Dr. Ahmed Sherif has returned to Cairo following his participation in the GAERID Conference in Cologne, Germany, where his lecture on the health, economic, and social consequences of female genital mutilation (FGM) drew significant attention. Images of a packed hall filled with engaged attendees reflected the strong interest in his data-driven presentation.

During his lecture, Sherif emphasized that the impact of the discussion stemmed from the clarity and transparency of the figures presented. Citing UNICEF reports, he noted that more than 230 million girls and women worldwide have undergone FGM—a number that continues to rise alongside global population growth—making it a worldwide public health and economic challenge rather than a purely cultural issue.

Sherif highlighted that Egypt remains among the countries with the highest prevalence rates, with approximately 87% of women aged 15–49 affected. Despite a slight increase in the average age at which the procedure is performed, population growth means the total number continues to rise. He also warned that some practices are now carried out in clinics by medical staff, giving the procedure a misleading medical appearance while increasing its risks and financial burden on the state.

He revealed that treating FGM-related complications in Egypt alone costs the country nearly $20 billion over the lifetime of affected women—$14 billion for gynecological and urinary complications and $6 billion for childbirth-related issues. Sherif added that chronic pain and psychological trauma significantly reduce women’s productivity and ability to work, directly impacting household income and the broader economy.

At the European level, he explained that although prevalence rates are below 1%, the annual cost of medical treatment and psychosocial support ranges between €1 and €2 billion, while global costs reach approximately $1.4 billion per year. These figures, he stressed, represent a preventable global economic drain that could have been avoided through education and awareness. He described cooperation between Egypt and Europe on this issue as a strategic investment in the future, not merely a humanitarian effort.

Sherif also outlined the role of the International Academy of Aesthetic and Urogynecology (IAAUG), which he co-founded with Dr. Doaa Saleh. The organization focuses on addressing the consequences of FGM and training physicians in evidence-based treatment methods. To date, IAAUG has trained more than 2,500 doctors and provided 200 fully funded reconstructive procedures for affected women, following a simple principle: for every doctor trained, two patients receive free treatment.

Explaining the strong engagement at the GAERID Conference, Sherif noted that the global community increasingly recognizes FGM as a complex health, economic, and social crisis. International institutions now show genuine willingness to collaborate through education, training, and cross-border initiatives, with IAAUG ready to operate in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.

He concluded with a clear message

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

Sherif confirmed that all data and figures presented are based on trusted international sources, including UNICEF 2024 reports, World Health Organization publications, and peer-reviewed global health economics studies.

Dr. Ahmed Sherif holds an honorary doctorate in Marketing and Business Administration from Lancaster Academy (UK), as well as an MBA and 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 the International Academy of Aesthetic and Urogynecology (IAAUG).