The practice of female genital mutilation appears to be on the decline in a number of countries, according to recent surveys, a sign that years of advocacy work may be paying off. Girls who lived in urban areas and whose mothers received even small amounts of schooling were less likely to be cut, Madsen said. Female genital mutilation — which supporters call “female circumcision” — remains a deeply embedded practice in some cultures, where it is seen as an important coming-of-age ritual that ensures a woman’s purity. The prevalence of female genital mutilation varies significantly both between and within countries. Despite changing opinions about the practice in many countries, the number of women and girls who undergo ritual cutting continues to grow because populations are growing, Madsen said.

Source: Los Angeles Times February 06, 2017 05:03 UTC