According to the World Health Organization (WHO), female genital mutilation – also referred to as female genital cutting and female circumcision – includes “all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.” It is estimated that more than 200 million women worldwide are affected by FGM. Every February 6, the United Nations (UN) celebrates the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation to raise awareness and educate the public about the dangers of the practice. High prevalence in Horn of AfricaIn the Arab World, FGM is concentrated in poorer Arab countries on the African continent: it is frequent in Somalia, Djibouti, Egypt and Sudan. Egypt has the highest population of any country in the Arab world, with 95 million people. Among girls 0 to 14 years, Mauritania has the highest percentage of FGM practice, with 54 percent having been circumcised.

Source: Egypt Independent February 06, 2018 22:30 UTC