female genital mutilation is sometimes a precursor to child marriage as it is associated with a woman s coming of age female genital mutilation may also result in a variety of reproductive health issues including maternal and infant mortality and obstetric fistula prenatal sex selection and sex selective abortions are forms of discrimination against women and are symptomatic of the devalued status of women in society in addition over the past years numerous provisions in international legal and policy frameworks have called for legal measures to address harmful practices