Associated Press: Female genital mutilation continues as change comes slowly
“…Deep in Ethiopia’s desert region of Afar, about nine in 10 women and girls undergo female genital mutilation, many before their first birthday. Campaigners on Tuesday marked the International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM as they seek to end the practice. Nearly 200 million around the world live with its effects, the United Nations says…” (Atsbeha, 2/6).

U.N. News Centre: Female genital mutilation ‘not acceptable’ in the 21st century — U.N. envoy on youth
“Speaking a day ahead of the International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation, the United Nations youth envoy underscored that the ghastly practice is an aversion to the human rights of millions and keeps them from achieving their full potential. ‘This is not acceptable and this is done in the name of tradition, culture, religion, or in the name of ensuring that women are to take on subservient roles to the men they will eventually marry,’ said Jayathma Wickramanayake, the secretary general’s envoy on youth, speaking at an international forum in the Gambia on strategies to combat the practice…” (2/5).