According to UNICEF data, at least 200 million girls and women across 30 countries have suffered female genital mutilation, also known as female genital cutting or FGC. If they were to form a country, it would be the sixth most populous in the world.
This year, the UN estimated that 4.1 million girls around the world are at risk of FGC. In India, it is practised mainly by the Dawoodi Bohra community – mainly by untrained women using rudimentary blades and knives.
We are looking at an alarming crime against humanity that needs our urgent attention.