Delhi, Dec 10, 2016 : Recently, a petition has been doing the rounds on Internet. The online petition is launched by a group of women belonging to the Dawoodi Bohra community who underwent Female Genital Mutilation.

This petition aims at rooting out this ancient practice and was initiated by an advocacy group known as 'Speak Out on FGM' on Change.org on Thursday ahead of the International Human Rights Day.

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According to the PTI, the petition's report will be submitted to the welfare of women and child wing of United Nations. A similar petition was also launched last year as well, in the month of December which had received an overwhelming response and was submitted to Union Women and Child Development minister, Maneka Gandhi.

In December 2012, the UN General Assembly had adopted a unanimous resolution on banning FGM. The World Health Organisation (WHO) classifies FGM as a violation of the human rights of girls and women.

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Many women involved in the petition voiced their opinions. Ranalvi said, "I have no hesitation in admitting that I was subjected to FGM at a very young age, but I have ensured that my daughter, who is now 22, does not undergo this brutality." Another 50-year-old working woman, Maasooma Ranalvi from Delhi said, "Our main objective to make at least everyone aware about this age-old practice being observed in our country since last 1400 years which in not only shameful but is unconstitutional and utterly violates human rights."

Poonawala, the president of the University Women's Association, a non-profit organisation working towards empowering women quoted,"We want the government to acknowledge it and stand behind us. Promulgate a law to flush out this regressive ritual from the society."

prepared by Shambhavi Sinha of NewsGram. Twitter: @shambhavispeaks