FGM: 200 million girls worldwide forced to undergo genital mutilation

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Millions of girls and young women have undergone female genital mutilation in 30 countries, new figures reveal, as the United Nations calls for the practice to be eliminated globally.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | US Desk
Source/Credit: The New Arab
By AlAraby | February 5, 2016

At least 200 million girls and women worldwide have been subjected to female genital mutilation [FGM] with half of those living in Egypt, Ethiopia and Indonesia.

"Female genital mutilation violates the rights of girls and women," said Geeta Rao Gupta, UNICEF's deputy executive director.

"It differs across regions and cultures, with some forms involving life-threatening health risks."

The latest global figure, from a UNICEF report, includes nearly 70 million more girls and women than estimated in 2014.

Of the 200 million victims, 44 million are girls age 14 and younger.

In the 30 countries where the practice is most widespread, the majority of girls have undergone FGM before their fifth birthday.

In Yemen, 85 percent of girls experienced the practice within their first week of life, UNICEF said, declaring the practice a clear violation of children's rights.

In the 30 countries where the practice is most widespread, the majority of girls have undergone FGM before their fifth birthday
Somalia, Guinea and Djibouti continue to show the highest prevalence of FGM globally, but the overall rate in some 30 countries has dropped, according to the UNICEF report, released ahead of International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM.

The United Nations is working to end the practice of cutting women's genitalia by the target date of 2030, a goal set in its new development agenda that was adopted in September by all UN member-states.

"In countries like Somalia, Guinea and Djibouti, the practice is practically universal," said Claudia Cappa, the lead author of the report.

"Being born in those countries means you have a nine out of 10 [likelihood] of undergoing the practice."

The prevalence rates for FGM in Somalia stands at a staggering 98 percent, with 97 percent in Guinea and 93 percent in Djibouti.

Cappa said the practice existed in other countries not included in the study, where large-scale data was not available, such as in India, Malaysia, Oman, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, as well as in pockets in Australia, North America and Europe - where many migrants come from countries with a large number of female circumcisions.

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