After His Participation in the GAERID Conference in Cologne, Germany

Dr. Ahmed Sherif has returned to Egypt following his participation in the GAERID Conference held in Cologne, Germany, where his lecture on the health, social, and economic impacts of female genital mutilation (FGM) drew significant attention. Images of a fully packed hall, with attendees closely engaged in his presentation, quickly circulated, reflecting the strong interest in the topic. His lecture highlighted precise data and verified statistics, underscoring the urgent need to clearly address the economic and social consequences of this practice.

Dr. Sherif explained that the strong impact of the lecture stemmed from the clarity and transparency of the figures presented. According to UNICEF, more than 230 million girls and women worldwide have undergone FGM—a staggering number that continues to rise with global population growth. This makes FGM a global challenge that directly affects public health and national economies, not merely a cultural issue.

Focusing on Egypt, Dr. Sherif noted that the country ranks among the highest globally, with approximately 87% of women aged 15–49 having undergone FGM. While there has been slight progress in increasing the average age at which the practice is performed, overall numbers continue to rise due to population growth. He also warned that FGM is no longer limited to traditional settings, as it is sometimes performed in clinics by medical personnel, giving it a false sense of medical legitimacy while increasing its harm and financial burden on the state.

From an economic perspective, Dr. Sherif revealed that treating FGM-related complications in Egypt costs the state around $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 emphasized that chronic pain and psychological trauma resulting from FGM significantly reduce women’s productivity, leading to economic losses at the family and community levels.

Comparing the situation with Europe, he pointed out that although prevalence rates there are below 1%, the cost of medical treatment and psychological and social support still ranges between €1–2 billion annually, while global costs amount to approximately $1.4 billion per year. These figures demonstrate that the financial burden of FGM is shared worldwide and could have been prevented through education and awareness. In this context, cooperation between Egypt and Europe represents a smart long-term investment rather than a purely humanitarian effort.

Dr. Sherif also highlighted 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 focuses on treating FGM complications and training physicians on proper, evidence-based management. To date, IAAUG has trained more than 2,500 doctors and provided 200 fully funded reconstructive surgeries for affected women and girls. The model is simple yet impactful: for every doctor trained, two patients receive free, comprehensive treatment—turning education into tangible social change.

Addressing the strong engagement at the GAERID Conference, Dr. Sherif explained that the global community increasingly recognizes FGM as an ongoing health, social, and economic hemorrhage, rather than a cultural practice. He noted a genuine willingness among international and European institutions to contribute through education, training, and cross-border collaboration, affirming that IAAUG is ready to operate in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.

He concluded with a powerful message

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

Dr. Sherif emphasized that all data and figures presented are based on reliable international sources, including UNICEF reports (2024), World Health Organization (WHO) publications on the health and economic impacts 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 raise awareness among policymakers and the public about the true human and economic cost of FGM.

About Dr. Ahmed Sherif Dr. Ahmed Sherif holds an honorary PhD 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.