Canada will spend $3 million to help stamp out female genital mutilation in the west African country of Benin. International Development Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau will announce funding for the project Tuesday, which is the International Day for Zero Tolerance on female genital mutilation, FGM. Canada is also engaging with other countries, UN organizations and non-government groups to advocate and take action to eliminate the practice. The procedure, which alters or injures the female genital organs, is mostly carried out on girls between infancy and age 15, and is considered a violation of human rights. While banned in many countries, FGM remains widespread as a culturally entrenched way to "purify" young girls and prepare them for marriage.

Source: CBC News February 05, 2018 22:40 UTC