For girls in Somalia, Guinea and Djibouti, FGM is 'practically universal'

More than 200 million girls have been subjected to female genital mutilation and cases of the procedure are expected to rise, the UN has warned.

The study carried out by the organisation's children's agency shows the practice - common in many African countries - is far more widespread than previously thought.

Those worst affected are girls in Somalia, Guinea and Djibouti, where it is 'practically universal' for youngsters.

The ancient ritual - practised across a swathe of African countries and pockets of Asia and the Middle East - usually involves the partial or total removal of a girl's external genitalia.

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Rates of female genital mutilation are expected to rise in the next 15 years, the UN has warned. File image

In its most extreme form the vaginal opening is also sewn up. In many countries girls are commonly cut before their fifth birthday.

Communities which support FGM often consider it a prerequisite for marriage. Many also see it as a religious obligation although it is not mentioned in the Koran or Bible.

But FGM can cause a host of physical and psychological problems. In some cases, girls can bleed to death or die from infections caused by dirty blades.

Of the 200 million FGM victims, 44 million are aged 14 and younger, and of the 30 countries where it is most widespread, the majority of girls undergo it before their fifth birthday.

Claudia Cappa, the lead author of the report, said: 'In countries like Somalia, Guinea and Djibouti, the practice is practically universal.

'Being born in those countries means you have 9 out of 10 possibilities of undergoing the practice.'

The prevalence rates for FGM stands at a staggering 98 percent for Somalia, 97 percent for Guinea and 93 percent for Djibouti.

The new global figure on FGM includes nearly 70 million more girls and women than the last estimate for 2014, largely due to new data provided by Indonesia and population growth.

Despite growing momentum to end the practice, experts warn that booming populations in some high prevalence countries are undermining efforts to tackle the practice.

UNICEF stated: 'If current trends continue the number of girls and women subjected to FGM will increase significantly over the next 15 years.'

Somalia (pictured) remains the worst-affected country, with the procedure 'practically universal' for girls born there

Geeta Rao Gupta, the director of UNICEF, stated: 'Female genital mutilation differs across regions and cultures, with some forms involving life-threatening health risks.

'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.'

Countries which have seen sharp declines include Liberia, Burkina Faso and Kenya. The data also indicates widespread disapproval of the practice in many countries.

The report does not include data from all countries where FGM has been reported. Those left out include India, Colombia, Malaysia, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.