This table provides metadata for the actual indicator available from Kenya statistics closest to the corresponding global SDG indicator. Please note that even when the global SDG indicator is fully available from Kenyan statistics, this table should be consulted for information on national methodology and other Kenyan-specific metadata information.
| Goal |
Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls] |
|---|---|
| Target |
Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation] |
| Indicator |
Proportion of girls and women aged 15–49 years who have undergone female genital mutilation, by age] |
| Series |
2009,2014,2022] |
| Metadata update |
2022 |
| Related indicators |
Indicator 16.1.3 Proportion of population subjected to (a) physical violence, (b) psychological violence and (c) sexual violence in the previous 12 months. |
| Organisation |
Kenya National Bureau of Statistics] |
| Contact person(s) |
Senior Manager, Social Statistics Division |
| Contact organisation unit |
Social Statistics Division |
| Contact person function |
Collect, compile, analyze and disseminate statistics on governance peace and security, gender, education and health. |
| Contact phone |
+254735004401, +254202911000, +254202911001 |
| Contact mail |
30266-00100 NAIROBI |
| Contact email | |
| Definition and concepts |
Definition: Proportion of girls and women aged 15-49 years who have undergone female genital mutilation. This indicator is measured among women age 15 – 49 who have undergone FGM, their age at circumcision and the type of circumcision and girls age 0 – 14 who have undergone FGM. Concepts: Female genital mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) refers to “all procedures involving partial or total removal of the female external genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons" (World Health Organization, Eliminating Female Genital Mutilation: An interagency statement, WHO, UNFPA, UNICEF, UNIFEM, OHCHR, UNHCR, UNECA, UNESCO, UNDP, UNAIDS, WHO, Geneva, 2008, p.4)] |
| Unit of measure |
Proportion] |
| Classifications | |
| Data sources |
Household surveys such as KDHS have been collecting data on this indicator from 1998 to 2022] |
| Data collection method |
The2014 and 2022 KDHS collected information on FGM/C from women age 15–49, girls age 0–14, and men age 15–54. For women, the topics included knowledge and prevalence of FGM and attitudes towards the practice. Women age 15–49 were asked questions about if they were circumcised, age at circumcision, and type of circumcision. Women with daughters age 0–14 were asked questions about circumcision for each of their daughters. Male respondents were asked questions on their knowledge and attitudes about FGM/C.] |
| Data collection calendar |
Every 5 years] |
| Data release calendar |
2022 |
| Data providers |
Kenya National Bureau of Statistics] |
| Data compilers |
Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, Anti Female Genital Mutilation Board] |
| Institutional mandate |
The Anti-FGM Board, established by the Prohibition of FGM Act, 2011 is the lead Government Agency mandated to coordinate the implementation of Eradication of Female Genital Mutilation. The Board provides overall policy guidance and direction on matters related to FGM. The Board is supported by a secretariat that is in charge of the implementation of the policy.] Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS KNBS is established under the Statistics Act, 2006 as the principal agency of the Government for collecting, analyzing and disseminating statistical data in Kenya and as the custodian of official statistical information.] |
| Rationale |
FGM/C is a violation of girls’ and women’s human rights. There is a large body of literature documenting the adverse health consequences of FGM over both the short and long term. The practice of FGM is a direct manifestation of gender inequality FGM is condemned by a number of international treaties and conventions. Since FGM is regarded as a traditional practice prejudicial to the health of children and is, in most cases, performed on minors, it violates the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Existing national legislation in many countries also include explicit bans against FGM/C.] |
| Comment and limitations |
Getting reliable administrative data from the Anti Female Genital Mutilation Board to monitor the situation in regards to FGM/C] |
| Method of computation |
Number of girls and women aged 15-49 who have undergone FGM/C divided by the total number of girls and women aged 15-49 in the population multiplied by 100] |
| Validation |
Different stakeholders were invited to give feedback on the report before it was released; these included feedback on the application of internationally agreed definitions, classification and methodologies used] |
| Quality management |
KNBS developed a quality assurance framework (KeSQAF), to record and reference the full range of quality concepts, dimensions, and practices. These include; Relevance, accuracy, reliability, timeliness, punctuality, accessibility, clarity, coherence, consistency, methodological soundness, and integrity.] [The United Nations National Quality Assurance Frameworks Manual for Official Statistics (UN NQAF)] [Principles of official statistics] |
| Quality assurance |
See validation (Section 4.d)] |
| Quality assessment |
See validation (Section 4.d)] |
| Data availability and disaggregation |
Disaggregated by age, residence, education and wealth quintile] |
| Comparability/deviation from international standards |
The estimates compiled and presented at global level come directly from nationally produced data and are not adjusted or recalculated.] |
| References and Documentation |
https://data.unicef.org/topic/child-protection/female-genital-mutilation/ |
| Metadata last updated | Aug 28, 2025 |