United Nations: Promising Data Shows Decrease in Female Genital Mutilation
Friday, March 8, 2013 11:40 AM

According to United Nations data published on the International Day of Zero Tolerance of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting, a younger generation of girls is less likely to become victims of this practice. In countries where the practice commonly occurs, around 36 percent of girls aged 15-19 have undergone FGM, compared to an estimated 53 percent of women aged 45-49.
 
The Executive Director of the UN Population Fund, Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, said, “We have in the last few years been able to work with member States, communities within those member states, civil society organizations, professionals to stop the practice in a large number of communities in 2012 alone. We were able to stop it in about 1,800 communities in the world.”