Around 230 Million Females Have Undergone Genital Mutilation: Who

The World Health Organisation WHO says an estimated 230-million girls and women have undergone female genital mutilation FGM worldwide.

FGM refers to all procedures involving the partial or total removal of female external genitalia for non-medical reasons.

FGM can cause physical and mental health problems.

The UNs Shudufhadzo Musida says the practice is prevalent in countries including Ethiopia and Somalia.

African culture is important. Weve seen it in South African culture where different tribes have different ways of doing things. And if, lets say there is a harmful practice, it needs dialogue. We dont just go there and just change things and what the UNFPA does is they engage in community led initiatives where they have conversations to ensure that community leaders are also involved in this change, because you cant just go to a community and tell them that a cultural practice that they believe in is wrong. Whether its harmful or not, because they will not understand it from that perspective.