Female genital mutilation or cutting, also known as FGM/C, refers to several different harmful practices involving the cutting of the female genitals. The United Nations Children’s Agency estimates that at least 120 million girls and women have experienced FGM in 29 countries.

UN Member States on December 20, 2012 approved a draft resolution aimed at ending this harmful practice. Fewer girls are now subjected to this life threatening practice, according to new data released on the International Day of Zero Tolerance of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting.

UN Radio’s May Yaacoub spoke to Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, head of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) who says he’s happy about the General Assembly resolution as “it elevates this issue to a point where we would have a global concern and global concentrated effort to try and stop this odious and totally unnecessary practice in the world".

Duration: 2’30”