Demand for FGM Treatment Surges 338% in Ireland Amid Crisis

UPDATE: Demand for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) treatment in Ireland has skyrocketed by 338% in just two years, highlighting a critical crisis as survivors seek urgent medical care. With over 1,282 women and girls applying for asylum since 2020 citing FGM, the strain on Ireland’s only dedicated clinic is becoming untenable.

Ayan*, a 23-year-old Somali asylum seeker, arrived in Ireland hoping for a fresh start after enduring the harrowing effects of FGM as a child. “When they finished cutting, they tied my legs together for a week so the stitches wouldn’t open,” she recounted. Now, she faces a daunting 12-month wait to access essential medical treatment, reflecting the growing backlog at the Irish Family Planning Association (IFPA) clinic in Dublin.

Migrant support groups are reporting a staggering increase in referrals, with up to eight women a month reaching out for assistance. Niall Behan, Chief Executive of IFPA, stated that “current service provisions are neither fair to clients nor sustainable.” The clinic is calling for a national network of state-funded FGM treatment services to meet the overwhelming demand.

Last year alone, the IFPA provided 241 appointments for FGM survivors, a steep rise from just 55 appointments in 2021. Despite recent funding from the HSE for 2024 and 2025, Behan warns that “the current need far outstrips the capacity of the clinic.”

Dr. Caitríona Henchion, medical director at IFPA, emphasized the inadequacy of the current system, stating, “A single service is no longer sufficient to meet the needs of the population of FGM survivors in Ireland.” The overwhelming demand has resulted in waiting times that have escalated from weeks to months, leaving many women without vital care.

Activist Ifrah Ahmed, who played a pivotal role in criminalizing FGM in Ireland in 2012, expressed her shock at the ongoing struggles faced by survivors. “If a refugee woman lives outside Dublin, she can only be seen by the one clinic in the whole country that specializes in FGM,” Ahmed explained. She highlighted the need for comprehensive changes in the healthcare system to support these vulnerable women.

Figures obtained from the International Protection Office (IPO) reveal that applications for asylum on the grounds of FGM have surged nearly tenfold, from fewer than 50 annually to over 400 in 2024. In just the first nine months of this year, 310 women and girls have sought asylum due to FGM-related issues. However, experts warn that these numbers do not accurately reflect the true scale of the problem, as many survivors remain uncounted.

The IFPA clinic urgently needs to expand its services to handle the influx of patients, with Behan stressing that it cannot remain the sole provider of FGM treatment in Ireland. “More services are needed,” he stated, urging the HSE to consider a nationwide approach to tackle the issue effectively.

As Ayan waits for her surgery, she remains hopeful. “The main reason why I am an immigrant in this country is so I can be safe; recovery will come even though I have to wait,” she said.

The plight of FGM survivors in Ireland is a growing humanitarian crisis that demands immediate attention and action. With the number of asylum seekers and the demand for treatment on the rise, stakeholders must prioritize the establishment of comprehensive healthcare solutions to support these women in their recovery.

*Name has been changed to protect Ayan’s identity.