More than 230 million women worldwide have undergone female genital mutilation, which is 30 million more than eight years ago, according to a UNICEF report released on International Women’s Day, March 8th.
UNICEF states that four out of ten women subjected to this procedure live in conflict-affected countries with high population growth rates. Political instability hampers efforts to prevent this practice and provide full support to victims.
Female genital mutilation is the term for all procedures involving the partial or complete removal of external female genitalia or any mutilation of female genital organs for traditional, religious, or other reasons.
Lifelong consequences
Female genital mutilation is a problem in many parts of the world, and the consequences of such an act are lifelong. It can cause severe bleeding and even death, and girls typically undergo this procedure between childhood and adolescence.
Long-term, it can lead to urinary tract infections, menstrual problems, pain, reduced sexual satisfaction, childbirth complications, as well as depression, low self-esteem, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
The report estimates that about 144 million women and girls have undergone this procedure in Africa alone, followed by Asia with 80 million and the Middle East with six million cases.
Somalia is at the top of the list of countries where this practice is still carried out, with as much as 99 percent of the female population aged 15 to 49 affected.
Burkina Faso made progress
Burkina Faso has made the most significant progress in eradicating this practice, where over the past 30 years, the percentage of women aged 15 to 49 has decreased from 80 percent to 30 percent.
Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Sudan have recorded the highest number of women and girls subjected to female genital mutilation in conflict-affected countries.
While the report acknowledges the progress made in some countries, it warns that the international community is failing to do what would be necessary to achieve the United Nations (UN) goal of eradicating this practice globally by 2030.
