Belief in witchcraft is hampering efforts to eradicate female genital mutilation (FGM) in Guinea, where almost all girls are cut, campaigners said on Tuesday.
Aminata Bah, who underwent FGM at the age of 5, said many people in the West African country believe traditional circumcisers have supernatural powers, and girls fear being cursed if they speak about what had happened to them.
With 97 percent of women cut, Guinea is estimated to have the second-highest prevalence of FGM globally, after Somalia.
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