Zimbabwe

Population

17,111,241

2018 population growth rate

2.32%

Estimated prevalence among girls and women

There are no national statistics on female genital cutting (FGC) in Zimbabwe, but there are reports of the practice occurring within some communities.


Type practised

Unknown. There are reports that girls in the Ramba ethnic group undergo Type III FGC (infibulation). There are also reports of labia elongation in some groups, which falls under Type IV FGC.


Age

Unknown. Labia elongation is thought to be encouraged around puberty.


Agent

Unknown.


Legal status

Zimbabwe has no specific legislation regarding FGC, although the Domestic Violence Act of 2007 prohibits domestic abuse derived from any culture, including FGC.


National progress

  • Little is recorded regarding efforts to abandon FGC with Zimbabwean communities that continue the practice.

Human Development Index ranking

156 in 2018 index, based on 2017 data.


Infant mortality rate

40 deaths per 1,000 live births (2016).


Maternal mortality rate

443 deaths per 100,000 live births (2015).

Source: Human Development Index