"It is indeed bad news. This is a huge number, a number that is bigger than ever before," said Claudia Coppa, lead author of the report released to coincide with International Women's Day on Friday.
The overall increase is largely due to population growth in certain countries but the report highlighted progress in reducing its prevalence in other places. "To date, almost 400 cases of circumcisers or people who have practised circumcision have been brought before the courts," he added. Meanwhile, the UN called Wednesday for the withdrawal of a controversial bill aimed at ending a ban on female genital mutilation in Gambia.
"In some societies, for example, it is considered a necessary rite of passage, in other contexts it is a way of preserving, for example, the chastity of girls. It's a way of controlling girls' sexuality," she said.
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