Genital Mutilation: More than 200 million women affected worldwide
200 million women affected
According to a report by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), some 200 million women and girls are currently suffering from genital mutilation. This exceeds the estimated number of victims in 2014 by 70 million women. The reason for this increase is the population growth in some countries - and new data from Indonesia. "It is necessary to grasp the extent of genital mutilation in order to eliminate this practice," said UNICEF Executive Director Geeta Rao Gupta. The number of victims could increase significantly in the next 15 years if this trend continues.
The report includes data from 30 predominantly Muslim countries in which the cruel ritual is practiced. Half of the victims come from Indonesia, Ethiopia and Egypt. Somalia is the country with the highest rate: Here are about 98 percent of all women aged 15 to 49 affected by a mutilation of the genitals.
Worldwide ban on genital mutilation
In 2012, the UN adopted a resolution calling for a global ban on genital mutilation. In Germany, it was decided in 2013 that genital mutilation will be punished with up to 15 years in prison. In 2015, the United Nations set the goal that no women will be circumcised after 2030. According to the German organization Terre des Femmes (TdF), we are a long way from that: the number of unreported women is probably much higher, since there are no studies from many regions of the world.
According to the organization, there are even clinics in Indonesia that offer the ritual right after the birth of a girl - including piercing of ear holes. In addition to the clitoris often the inner labia are removed. In serious cases, even the vagina is sewn up and left only a small opening.
By the way: As part of the Day of Action "Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation", on 6 February, women around the world will remember the human rights violation that this cruelty means.
