In Ghana they just marked International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). The government used the day to urge citizens to fight the human right violation of girls and women.

“FGM is a human rights violation that affects an estimated five girls each minute worldwide with another 180,000 girls at risk of being subjected to FGM each year,” reports Ghana Business.

“The practice of FGM is still ongoing in Ghana in spite of national and international laws that prohibit it,” a statement from the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection said to mark the day.

In 29 countries, more than 125 million girls and women have been victims of FGM.

“In the highest prevalence Region in Ghana (Upper West), 60 per cent of women aged 45 to 49 have undergone FGM compared to 16 per cent of girls aged between 15 to 19 years,” reports Ghana Business.