The Directorate-General of Health (Direção-Geral da Saúde or DGS) reported a 15% increase in records of female genital mutilation in 2025, reaching a total of 292 cases. Health officials attribute this rise to improved awareness and better reporting by medical professionals rather than an increase in the practice itself. The DGS emphasizes that this remains a serious violation of human rights and a form of gender-based violence.
Female genital mutilation records rise by 15 percent
Tuesday, 14 July 2026AI summary
Context & Explainers
The DGS (Direção-Geral da Saúde) is Portugal's central public health authority, responsible for setting health policy guidelines, managing vaccination programs, disease surveillance, and public health campaigns. It operates under the Ministry of Health.
The DGS issues clinical guidelines (normas) that health professionals across Portugal follow, manages the national vaccination schedule, coordinates responses to disease outbreaks, and publishes health statistics. It became widely known during the COVID-19 pandemic as the lead agency for public health guidance.
For residents, the DGS is the authoritative source for vaccination schedules, health alerts, and clinical guidance. Its recommendations shape how hospitals and health centers deliver care across the country.
