30 million women and girls have been 'circumcised' globally since 2016, UNICEF finds
UN agency reports that the number of victims worldwide has now reached 230 million, even as efforts to curtail female genital mutilation show progress in some countries.
Transcript
00:00 Rallies calling for gender equality and justice are taking place in Europe and around the
00:06 world as today marks International Women's Day. This year's theme is "Inspire Inclusion"
00:12 to emphasize the importance of diversity and empowerment. In South Korea, that means getting
00:17 more women involved in politics.
00:20 "In South Korea, there is a presidential election in a month. In the presidential election,
00:27 many issues are discussed and women citizens are informed."
00:34 In a special address, the UN Secretary General said that while barriers have been broken
00:39 down over the years, women still face many obstacles.
00:43 "Billions of women and girls face marginalization, injustice and discrimination, while the persistent
00:49 epidemic of violence against women disgraces humanity. Our world still reflects millennia
00:56 of male-dominated power relations."
00:58 But in Russia, there was a contrasting message from President Vladimir Putin, who said the
01:05 primary role of women is motherhood.
01:08 "You, dear women, are able to transform the world with your beauty, wisdom and generosity.
01:15 But first of all, thanks to the greatest gift that nature has given you - the birth of
01:24 humanity."
01:28 Illustrating the struggle many women still face, scuffles broke out at a march in the
01:32 Philippines when police tried to contain a protest against sexual violence.
01:39 (laughing)
01:42 (dramatic music)