202 Female genital mutilation: a comparative analysis of the national and local landscape

Abstract EP1.2, e-Poster Terminal 1, September 3, 2025, 13:05 - 13:55 In 2013, Portugal ratified the The Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, known as the Istanbul Convention. To comply with the provisions of the Istanbul Convention, Law No. 83/2015 of August 5th was enacted, which criminalized Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), created the crimes of stalking and forced marriage, and amended the crimes of rape, sexual coercion, and sexual harassment. Between 2014 and 2021, a total of 668 cases of FGM were recorded in Portugal, with a predominance of cases originating from Guinea-Bissau and Guinea Conakry, and a gradual increase in the number of cases from Senegal. Locally, in the municipality of Sintra, 215 cases were recorded between 2019 and 2024. Among the identified women, 84.65% were mutilated in Guinea-Bissau, 10.70% in Guinea Conakry, and 2.33% in Senegal. Regarding the age at which FGM was performed, the most common age was 7 years old (20.63% of cases). In terms of the type of FGM, the most frequent was clitoridectomy (53.40%) followed by excision (44.70%). Complications were reported in at least 55.30% of the women subjected to FGM. Among these, the most common complications were obstetric (43.30%), psychological (40.50%), genitourinary (30.20%), and sexual response (34.40%). There are several benefits resulting from migrations, but also associated risks, particularly the importation of harmful practices such as FGM. Regular analysis of data on this subject allows for a better characterization of this phenomenon in Portugal. Understanding this issue is important to enhance support for women and girls who have undergone the practice or are at risk of doing so, contributing to the adaptation of national or local strategies to combat FGM.