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At least 200 million women and girls globally face genital mutilation, according to a United Nations report, nearly 70 million more than previously estimated.
The United Nations says the evidence shows the need to end the practice. UNICEF says if current trends continue, the number of women and girls affected will rise significantly in the next 15 years.
Communities that support female genital mutilation (FGM) often consider it a prerequisite for marriage.
The practice is common in some Muslim communities and can be life-threatening for girls and women. In some cases, they can bleed to death or die from infection.