International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

A women's health advocate in Somaliland has insisted undergoing female genital mutilation (FGM) is not a requirement of her faith.

Edna Adan, who founded Edna Adan University Hospital, takes care of many victims of the procedure in her capacity as a nurse and midwife, the Somaliland Sun reports.

However, she has insisted the notion that FGM is required by Islam is not true and argued other factors are actually behind this continuing problem.

"Female circumcision is not an Islamic religious obligation," she told PBS documentary Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide.

"It's traditional - our religion does not require it."

The World Health Organization (WHO) has argued FGM violates the human rights of females and believes it is a particularly big problem in Africa.

Estimates suggest about 92 million girls in the continent aged ten or above have been victims of the practice. WHO also believes FGM offers no health benefits to females.

Posted by Martine Ward