Rao Gupta

In every case FGM violates the rights of girls and women, we must all accelerate efforts -- governments, health professionals, community leaders, parents and families -- to eliminate the practice.

Determining the magnitude of female genital mutilation is essential to eliminating the practice, when governments collect and publish national statistics on FGM they are better placed to understand the extent of the issue and accelerate efforts to protect the rights of millions of girls and women.