According to a report released by the United Nations children’s agency on Friday, more than 230 million females have experienced female genital mutilation, with the majority residing in Africa.

According to a report released on International Women’s Day by UNICEF, approximately 30 million individuals have received a medical procedure in the past eight years that involves the partial or complete removal of external genitalia.

According to UNICEF, the proportion of females subjected to female genital mutilation is decreasing. However, they cautioned that efforts to eliminate the practice are not keeping pace with the rapid growth of populations.

According to the report, the prevalence of female genital mutilation is decreasing, but at a rate that is not sufficient.

It is a harmful belief that the practice is used to control the sexuality of women, as it can result in severe bleeding and death. Girls are typically subjected to this procedure at various stages of their childhood. In the long run, it can lead to health issues like urinary tract infections, menstrual irregularities, pain, and difficulties with childbirth. It can also have negative effects on mental health such as depression, low self-esteem, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell stated that there is a concerning pattern emerging where younger girls are undergoing the harmful practice at an early age, some even before the age of five. This shortens the time frame to intervene and take action.

According to the report, approximately 144 million females have undergone female genital mutilation in Africa, with 80 million in Asia and 6 million in the Middle East. Somalia has the highest number of females who have experienced this practice, known as female circumcision, with 99% of the female population between 15 to 49 years of age having undergone the procedure.

Over the course of thirty years, Burkina Faso has shown the most notable advancement by lowering the percentage of women aged 15-49 who have undergone female circumcision from 80% to 30%.

The report revealed that 40% of survivors reside in war-affected countries experiencing rapid population growth. It noted that political turmoil hinders efforts to prevent the practice and assist those affected.

According to the report, the countries with the highest numbers of females who have experienced female genital mutilation in areas affected by conflict are Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Sudan.

While the report praised the advancements made in certain countries, it cautioned that the world is not on track to achieve the United Nation’s objective of eliminating the practice worldwide by 2030.

The report stated that certain countries would need to make progress at a rate 10 times faster than the most successful progress ever seen in history in order to achieve the target by 2030.

Nimco Ali, the Chief Executive Officer of the Five Foundation, a charity located in the UK dedicated to tackling female genital mutilation, expressed shock and devastation at the UNICEF figures. She emphasized the urgent need for increased funding to put an end to this harmful practice.

According to a press release, the Somali-born advocate, writer, and survivor of female genital mutilation stated that we have a critical opportunity in the remaining six years of this decade to address and stop the unacceptable violation of girls’ human rights and protect future generations from the brutality of FGM.