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Development Ratings releases background report on female genital mutilation
Female genital mutilation is widespread across the sub-Saharan belt of Africa where the prevalence ranges from 25% to 100% of all women having suffered the procedure. Female genital mutilation is not a associated with any religious belief, but is a traditional practice. It is normally performed on girls during childhood, by around the age of eight to ten years old. There is some evidence that, when the dangers of female genital mutilation are explained to communities, it can begin to become less common. Three of Development Ratings recommended charities work to prevent this practice, namely Health Unlimited, IMPACT Foundation and African Initiatives.
See the full background research on female genital mutilation on Our Research page.
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