FGM is leading cause of death in some nations, study finds
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‘Change in patriarchal attitudes often lags behind other societal change – an important first step would be for FGM to be made illegal in the countries where it is within the law,’ report author says.
By Maya Oppenheim, Women’s Correspondent
Female genital mutilation is a leading cause of death in the nations where it is carried out, according to a damning new study.
Researchers found a 50% surge in the number of girls undergoing FGM causes over an estimated 44,000 excess deaths of women and young girls each year in countries where the practice occurs.
FGM, internationally recognised as a human rights violation, refers to any procedure that intentionally alters female genital organs for non-medical reasons. The procedure, which can cause a lifetime of severe health problems and pain, is often carried out without anaesthesia.
Some ‘girls die from blood loss or infection as a direct result of the procedure’, the NHS states.
The new study, carried out at by the University of Birmingham...
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