Iraq FGM Information
Prevalence of FGM: 8% (Women 15-49) 4.9% (Girls 15-18) (DHS, 2011)
Most common types: Type 1
Common ages practiced: 0-9 years (Medium Age of FGM: 9 Years)
Regional information: Kurdistan (North) – 77.9% in Suleymaniya, 81.2% in Garmyan and New Kirkuk, and 63.0% in Arbil, it is merely 7.0% in Dohuk (
Practicing ethnic groups: Kurdish, Arabic and Turkmen.
Terminology: ‘Khatana’ (Circumcision)
FGM law in Iraq: Illegal in Kurdistan region
(All information has been sourced from UNICEF and The Orchid Project, WADI)