Female mutilation still reaches 90% of girls in countries like Egypt and Somalia

Bulletin of the World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Thursday (2) shows that the fight against female genital mutilation is getting little progress.

Practice that has recorded 125 million victims among girls and women, female genital mutilation is considered an ancient rite in several parts of Africa and the Middle East. The cut is made with blades or knives, and often without anesthesia. With the move, the girl has the clitoris removed entirely or partially.

In countries like Egypt and Somalia, more than 90% of girls are mutilated. Many of them, even before they learn to walk. The goal is to girls and women stay "clean and pure" for marriage.

Various UN agencies joined the fight against genital mutilation including UNICEF and WHO. Some countries have managed to reduce the numbers of female circumcision. In Kenya, the rate fell from 38% in 1998 to 26% in 2008, girls between 15-49 years. Further progress was achieved in the Central African Republic.

The United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) says that by 2030, 86 million girls and women between 15 and 19 years will suffer from genital mutilation.

Actions taken to combat the problem given the strengthening of the General Assembly. In 2012, the House adopted a resolution to increase efforts to eliminate the practice.

<b> Cries of horror </ b>

The WHO considers the example of the British Somali origin, Leyla Hussein. She was mutilated at the age of seven. "I was only seven years old when I cut. The first thing I heard was my sister screaming. Then it was my turn. Four women held me down while they cut my clit. I felt every cut. The pain was so intense that I fainted said Hussein

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