Female genital mutilation around the world

Abstract

In 2016, UNICEF estimated that at least 200 million girls and women had experienced genital mutilation in 30 countries: 27 in Africa, along with Yemen, Iraq, and Indonesia. Migration currents have carried these practices to other continents. While they are decreasing in the countries where they are least prevalent, no change has been observed in those where they are highly frequent, although the proportion of persons who support their continuation is falling. Under the pretext that it reduces the health risks of the procedure, some health professionals have begun to perform genital mutilation, although this is firmly condemned by the WHO and other international organizations.