The number of police reports of female genital mutilation in Sweden has almost tripled the past three years. In 2018, 38 cases were reported compared to 14 in 2015. Yet, this is only the tip of an iceberg; authorities suspect that at least 40,000 women and children in Sweden are victims of the barbarous custom. There are two convictions.
According to SvD’s experts, increased willingness to report suspected cases is behind the rising figures. This due to stronger awareness among hospital employees, schools and school nurses.
“Professionals have opened up their eyes to this problem. In Stockholm county people talk more about it and there have also been training courses”, says midwife Anna-Lena Näsström.
Substantial migration from countries with large-scale FGM
The population growth from especially the Horn of Africa and Mid-East countries the past years might be another explanation behind the alarming figures. In total, Sweden’s population has grown with 1,4 million people since 2002, despite an increased emigration of native Swedes, in addition to decreased nativity among the same.
In Somalia, almost 98 percent of the women are genitally mutilated. Somalians are the largest African migrant group entering Sweden and one of the fastest growing peoples in the country with a total of 70,000 people in 2018, according to statistics from SCB.
Despite FGM has been prohibited in Sweden since 1982, there are only two convictions, both in 2006. This due to the legislation which demands that both the victim and the perpetrator are connected to Sweden. In five cases of 122, the perpetrator was connected to the country, according to SvD.
