Source: United Nations Radio
Female genital mutilation has no health benefit and violates the human rights of girls and women.That's what the World Health Organization (WHO) is stressing on the eve of the International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation, observed on February 6.

 

WHO's reproductive health specialist, Dr. Elise Johansen, says that the agency is committed to the elimination of female genital mutilation, known as FGM.

"FGM is a violation of the human rights of girls and women. It has no health benefit but is known to be harmful to girls and women in many ways. The removal or damage to healthy normal genital tissue interferes with the natural functioning of the body and associated with serious long-term and short-term risks both of physical, psychological and sexual health consequences including a birth complication which poses risk both to the mother and the child. "

WHO says up to 140 million girls worldwide have already been subjected to FGM and more than 3 million are at risk each year of undergoing the procedure.