Minister von der Decken emphasizes: "The TABU specialist unit of Diakonie Altholstein has been doing specialized and highly sensitive work to protect against female genital mutilation in Schleswig-Holstein since 2018. It offers a state-wide service aimed specifically at women and girls affected and at risk. With this funding, we are helping to ensure that this important service can be operated reliably. We want to provide better protection for girls and women. Because no girl or woman should be forced to have their genitals mutilated."
The TABU specialist unit will receive funding of 100,000 euros from the Ministry of Justice and Health for the year 2026. The state funding will enable the specialist unit to continue its basic counseling work. The funding includes a part-time counseling team consisting of a socio-educational specialist and a community coach, thus ensuring continuous support for affected women and girls. "The work of our specialist center for women's health means protection, education and support for those affected and is an important step for many on the way to more self-determination and social participation," explains Vanessa Trampe-Kieslich, Head of Social Aid at Diakonie Altholstein.
The TABU specialist center experiences on a daily basis that female genital mutilation is also a reality in Schleswig-Holstein. The need for advice continues unabated. According to the advice center, inquiries in connection with FGM/C and asylum in particular have increased in recent years. A total of 130 people received personal advice in 2025. In addition, various accompaniments to doctors, authorities, etc. have taken place. "At the same time, the demand for peer counseling by sensitized professionals and volunteers is growing - a clear sign that the issue is becoming more widely recognized and at the same time there are still great uncertainties," says Trampe-Kieslich.
The figures available illustrate the dimension of the issue: According to estimates by the Federal Ministry of Family Affairs (2024), around 86,500 women in Germany are affected by female genital mutilation, plus 11,100 potentially affected girls and a further 25,000 girls at risk. This means that a total of almost 123,000 women and girls are affected or at risk of FGM/C nationwide. For Schleswig-Holstein, Terre des Femmes has specific estimates of the number of unreported cases from 2022. According to these estimates, around 2,000 women and around 1,000 girls are affected in the state, with a further 461 girls considered potentially at risk - a total of around 3,500 women and girls who are affected or at risk of female genital mutilation in Schleswig-Holstein.
The consultation figures only reflect the actual extent of those affected to a limited extent. "Many women and girls at risk or affected do not reach specialized services - especially in rural regions. Women who have only been living in Germany for a short time often only seek out an advice center when FGM/C becomes relevant in the asylum process. The path to making contact is often long and characterized by uncertainty," explains Trampe-Kieslich.
The new state funding is of central importance against the backdrop of considerable financial challenges. According to the provider, the TABU specialist unit was recently on the brink of closure, as the two EU-funded "AMIF projects", through which a large part of the work was financed, have expired or will end shortly. Follow-up funding via AMIF was not possible due to the funding conditions. The approval of a new application is extremely uncertain. "Against this backdrop, the current state funding is an important and strong signal. It makes it possible to maintain TABU's established advisory work," says Trampe-Kieslich, even if the work can only be continued at a significantly reduced level due to the expired projects.
"Female genital mutilation is a serious violation of human rights. The funding from the state is an important signal and helps to secure the work of our specialist unit for the protection of girls and women in Schleswig-Holstein. At the same time, sustainable structures and further investments are needed in the long term to strengthen prevention and care across the board," emphasizes Gesa Kitschke, Managing Director of Diakonie Altholstein. "Protection from a form of violence that often takes place in secret needs visibility, professional expertise and reliable framework conditions - so that girls and women affected and at risk can be effectively supported in the long term."
Help and information for those affected: TABU specialist center in Kiel | Diakonie Altholstein Phone: 0431 26093119
Multilingual information at:
www.diakonie-altholstein.de/den-alltag-meistern/tabu/schutzbrief