Around 40 females in Portugal become victims of FMG in 2014
Xinhua, February 7, 2015 Adjust font size:
Around 40 females residing in Portugal were victims of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in 2014, Portugal's Secretary of State of Parliamentary Affairs and Equality Teresa Morais told Portuguese Lusa News Agency on Friday.
The details were revealed on International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation, designated by the United Nations, on Friday.
Three cases have already been recorded this year in Portugal. Most of the women are originally from Guinea-Bissau and Guinea-Conakry, Morais said.
The average age of the victims is 29, and they were subjected to female genital mutilation at the age of around six, she added.
She also said the cases were discovered in cases of internment (40 percent), pregnancy (30 percent) and external consultation (20 percent).
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), FGM entails altering or injuring the genital areas for non-medical reasons.
The practice in many countries is a social convention and is commonly carried out by general practitioners.
In many instances, knives, scissors and razor blades are used to carry out the painful procedure.
The practice is recognized worldwide as a violation of women's and girl's rights and the UN is fighting to eradicate the practice. Endit