The UNICEF estimates that there are at least 200 million women and girls now living with female genital mutilation.
Although female genital mutilation is carried out in many countries, the report says that more than half of those who have undergone it live in just three countries -- Indonesia, Egypt and Ethiopia.
Data shows the highest rates of genital mutilation among women between the ages of 15 to 49 are in Somalia, Guinea, and Djibouti. In most countries, the majority of girls subjected to the practice are younger than 5. About one fourth of all cases worldwide were girls under the age of 14.
UNICEF hopes that with the support of governments, communities and religious leaders, the practice will be widely abandoned by 2030.
UNICEF hopes that with the support of governments, communities and religious leaders, the practice will be widely abandoned by 2030.
