On February 6, 2015, the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), the United Nations and other international organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) called on all countries to end the harmful practice of FGM. The WHO said FGM often causes lasting physical and mental health problems for girls and women, including death, infection, and childbirth complications. More countries are banning the practice and setting up coordinated strategies to support victims, causing a significant drop in FGM in countries such as Kenya and Burkina Faso. However, the practice remains common in many countries, with the WHO estimating that “more than 125 million women and girls have been subjected to FGM.”
Compiled from, Schlein, Lisa, WHO Sees Progress in Campaign Against Female Genital Mutilation, Voice of America (February 6, 2015); Ravelo, Jenny Lei and Villarino, Ma. Eliza, The (missing) key ingredient in getting to zero FGM, DevEx.com (Feburary 6, 2015).