This research agenda sets out the evidence gaps and research priorities that need to be addressed to accelerate the elimination of female genital mutilation. It describes the different types of female genital mutilation, provides core background information on prevalence and drivers, and identifies where the evidence base is thinnest.

The agenda is grounded in a global review of the effectiveness of interventions designed to prevent or respond to female genital mutilation over the previous decade. Alongside research priorities, it proposes approaches to enable the uptake and effective use of the evidence generated, so that findings reach policy and programming. It was developed by the UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme on the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation with the World Health Organization, HRP and Population Council.