70
million The number of women and girls in 29 countries who have experienced female genital mutilation/cutting is 70 million.
A
World Fit for Children Goal : End harmful traditional or customary practices, such as early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation, which violate the rights of children and women
Many of the practices that are most harmful to children are part of social traditions and cultural attitudes that have been prevalent for generations. A case in point is female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C)--more than 70 million women and girls aged 15–49 in 29 countries in Africa have been subjected to FGM/C.
Although laws against this harmful traditional practice are important, the greatest headway towards abandonment of FGM/C has been made by comprehensive campaigns that involve a community approach.
Source: Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS) and other national surveys, 1997-2007. Data refer to the most recent year available during the referenced period.
