DBWRF members during the event in Marol

In a bid to create awareness about the difference between khafz (female circumcision) and female genital mutilation (FGM), yesterday, a pro-khafz faction launched a nationwide campaign to encourage dialogue and discussion on the topic. Four wings of the Dawoodi Bohra Women's Association for Religious Freedom (DBWRF), in Rajkot, Mumbai, Indore and Ahmedabad, were mobilised yesterday for the campaign.

DBWRF, a trust that claims to represent the majority of Bohra women across the country, has 65,000 members. Speaking about the campaign, DBWRF secretary Samina Kanchwala said, "The Dawoodi Bohra community has been unequivocal in stating that we are completely against FGM and its proponents. We condemn any practice that aims to oppress or subjugate women. We have joined hands not only to spread awareness about FGM, but also to help establish the fact that khafz, which is an age-old harmless cultural and religious practice of the Dawoodi Bohra community, is entirely different from FGM."

Kanchwala added, "The primary aim of this four-city campaign is to ensure zero tolerance towards FGM. We completely condemn mutilation."

The event yesterday also marked the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, a United Nations-sponsored date that looks to spread awareness on FGM around the world.

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