Group calls for end to female genital mutilation

Ahead of the International Day of Zero Tolerance for female genital mutilation (FGM)on February 6, a group of Bohra women has appealed to their religious leaders to put an end to the practise.
The group, 'Speak Out on FGM', said a UN resolution passed in December 2012 denouncing FGM and calling a ban on it has been signed by 194 countries.
"Young Indian girls are still being subjected to FGM and this has to stop. It is extremely unfortunate. We hope to draw the UN's attention on FGM in India, and thereby impress upon the Indian government to give the issue the urgency it merits," convener of Speak Out on FGM Masooma Ranalvi told PTI today.

In December last year, this group along with another outfit 'Sahiyo' launched two petitions on social advocacy site Change.Org to urge United Nations to recognise India as the country where mutilating of female's genitals (FGM) was still practised.
Aarefa Johari of 'Sahiyo' said, "We would like to see that UN and various international agencies pay more attention to end this inhuman practise.