International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

United Nations (UN) officials have called for the eradication of female genital mutilation, reports the Association Press.

Anthony Lake, chief of the UN Children's Fund, and Babatunde Osotimehin, head of the UN Population Fund, said the practice violated human rights and endangered the health of the women affected by the procedure.

They called for organisations around the world to help bring an end to female genital mutilation, reports the news provider.

Mr Lake and Mr Osotimehin said more than 6,000 communities in Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya and Senegal have already stopped the practice following a three-year UN programme.

Recently, two districts in the north-east of Ethiopia vowed to end the practice in their communities.

Amibara and Awash-Fentale, both located in the Afar region of the country, said they would try and eradicate the practice because of the risks it poses to females' health, reported IRIN.

"We are very happy to declare the abandonment of this horrible act on women," said Fatuma Ali, head of women's affairs in the Amibara district.

Posted by Alexandra George