Luanda (Mali), Feb 17 (Prensa Latina) Over 90 percent of women in Mali in the age group of 15-49 years are circumcised by witch doctors in utter unhygienic condition, a World Bank report has revealed.

Over 12 million women worldwide have been subjected to genital mutilation by quacks who have little surgical skill, equipment or awareness of the dangers of such practices making the women vulnerable to infections, haemorrhage, pre-natal and post-natal complications and psychological disorders, the report said. Many women ultimately die from complications, the report added.

Awareness campaigners say the fight against the evil has a long way to go but the scenario does offer encouraging signs in that people have now started recognising the uselessness and danger of the practice, Aissata Diakite, director of one organisation in Mali engaged in the awareness drive, said.

Various African governments have stepped up their campaign against female circumcision vigorously, he said.