UNICEF estimates that 200 million women in more than 30 countries around the world have undergone female genital mutilation, which dramatically damages their psychological, physical and sexual integrity. This practice is internationally recognized as a serious violation of human rights.
The practice of female genital mutilation is also present in Europe. It is estimated that 500,000 women and girls residing on the European continent have undergone mutilation and that 150,000 are at risk of undergoing it. These alarming figures raise the need to set up prevention and support policies guaranteeing them access to health and justice services and to ensure the full application of existing legal instruments which prohibit this practice.
