Every year, two million girls on the African continent are subjected to female genital mutilation against their wish.

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is one of the most frightful forms of violence against women. Even though much sensitisation has been made on the negative effects of such practices, some Africans and even people of other parts of the world continue to carry out the practice. Most communities find it difficult to part with an old age tradition. The gravity of the practice was one of the topics of debate on a local radio station in Yaounde earlier this week. The programme was part of activities marking the 22nd International Women's Day. The debates added impetus to efforts made on the field by international bodies.

The Inter-African Committee on Harmful Practices affecting the Health of Women and Children Cameroon chapter (IAC Cameroon) has been fighting against FGM since its declaration on February 6, 2007. Recently, it joined the rest of the members of the United Nations bodies and other IAC countries to celebrate the 4th International Day on Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation. Every year, two million girls on the African continent are subjected to female genital mutilation in the name of tradition thus seriously compromising their chances of having a normal marital and reproductive life and jeopardizing not only their survival but that of their unborn children. Recent estimates place at 120 million the number of women affected by female genital mutilation in 28 African countries as well as among African immigrants in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Europe and the United States. It is an extreme form of violence which attacks the very core of a woman's being and robs her of health and dignity.