A new report by the Population Reference Bureau, incorporating current data, outlines the prevalence of various types of female genital mutilation (FGM) in 27 different countries. The data reveals the promising trend that the number of young women ages 15 to 19 who have had an FGM procedure performed has decreased in almost all countries compared to the previous generation.
In the past, FGM was usually carried out by traditional excisors; however, new data shows an increasing percentage of procedures are being performed by medical professionals, despite the fact that FGM can cause severe physical and mental health risks for women and girls.
The report also reveals that FGM is practiced in a wide swath of countries throughout Africa, in addition to a few in the Middle East and Asia. Prevalence of the procedures varies widely from one country to another, and often even within the same country between urban and rural areas.
Compiled from: Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting: Data and Trends, WUNRN.com (28 September 2010).