International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

The Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called for authorities in the Iraqi region of Kurdistan to ban the practice of female genital mutilation.

According to a HRW report, the practice is widespread in the region and it has a harmful effect on many women and young girls in the area.

The HRW, which is one of the leading independent organisations in the world committed to defending and protecting human rights, said the Kurdistan regional government needed to introduce legislation banning female circumcision from being carried out on young girls or women without their consent.

It also said the government should initiate a public awareness campaign highlighting the consequences of the practice.

Throughout the rest of Iraq, female genital mutilation is not common and it is not evident why it has become so prevalent in Kurdistan.

Critics of the practice say that it can result in women experiencing painful sexual intercourse and complications during childbirth, as well as stopping women having any pleasure from sex.

Posted by Alexandra George