Defending women's rights, Francis specifically condemned as a "criminal act" female genital mutilation (FGM) and trafficking women for prostitution.

Both these crimes are "humiliating affronts to women's dignity" he said, urging officials to do everything possible to end both.

A global target aims to eradicate female genital mutilation by 2030. Ridding the deeply entrenched practice will protect the next generations of girls, campaigners say. They acknowledge it will be difficult.

The United Nations has designated 6 February as the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

An estimated 200 million women and girls live with the aftermath of the practice, which can result in serious complications and even death. Long term problems can affect health, reproduction and sexual satisfaction. The experience is traumatic.

Prevalent in parts of Africa, the Middle East and Asia, cutting has been performed in communities of different cultures and faiths. Some view it as a rite of passage. For others it's linked to beliefs about chastity, femininity and cleanliness. Social pressure keeps it going.

"It's an entrenched social norm and really deeply rooted in cultural beliefs and sometimes in religious beliefs," a UN official says. "So to be able to make any change, people need to be convinced that this is not threatening their culture."

Some faith leaders are working to eliminate the practice. Others condone it. It's been illegal in Egypt since 2008; top Islamic authorities condemn the practice. Online and television information cites medical evidence of its harms, pointing out it's a custom with no sound religious basis.

There's still opposition to the bans though. This takes many forms: resistance from some religious leaders and other "traditional gatekeepers,". Limited funding is a hindrance. Lack of political will is a problem. There's a perception that ending cutting reflects a "Western-led agenda."

Meanwhile, some women suffering the aftereffects seek healing.

They express feelings of distress, discomfort in their own skin, embarrassment or fears that being cut could stop them from getting married or condemn their marriages to failure. Some want information on medical procedures.

Some considering medical interventions have found specialised treatment. But in many countries, options can be scarce or too costly. There are many treatment gaps and few trained personnel to help.

A few can access private clinics for surgical and non-surgical therapies. Psychological therapy is recommended, but many don't pursue it. Treatment results aren't guaranteed.

"We don't have a recommendation in favour of that at this moment because of the lack of evidence on the safety and the efficacy," said a World Health Organisation spokesperson.

"Any woman who has clitoral reconstruction should be offered sexual health counselling in conjunction with it." Neither the procedure nor such counselling is widely available in high prevalence countries, she added.

Source

• AP News
• Euro News
• Reuters

They have had improved things there, he said.

One he mentioned by name was Sister Raffaella Petrini, who as the deputy governor of Vatican City is effectively the most powerful woman there.

"I have noticed that every time a woman is given a position (of responsibility) in the Vatican, things improve," he said.

He also cited the impact of five women he appointed to a department that oversees Vatican finances.

"This is a revolution (in the Vatican) because women know how the find the right way to go forward," he said.

Francis also has appointed women as deputy foreign minister, director of the Vatican Museums, deputy head of the Vatican Press Office, as well as four women as councillors to the Synod of Bishops, which prepares major meetings.

He made no mention of campaigns to let women become clergy. Like his predecessor, Francis says the question of women priests is closed.

The Church teaches that only men can become priests because Jesus chose men as his apostles.

Responding to a question about women protesting in Iran, he turned to the topic of women's rights in general.

"We have to tell the truth," he said.

"The struggle for women's rights is a continuing struggle.

"We have to continue struggling for this because women are a gift. God did not create man and then give him a lapdog to play with. He created both equal, man and woman.

"A society that is not capable of (allowing women to have greater roles) does not move forward," he added.

Denouncing male chauvinism and acknowledging there was still too much of it around the world, including in his native Argentina, Francis said "chauvinism kills humanity".

He also condemned as a "criminal act" female genital mutilation (FGM).

He went on to repeat a call he made earlier this year on the UN International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation.

According to the United Nations, FGM is concentrated in about 30 countries in Africa and the Middle East. It is also practised by immigrant populations elsewhere.

Over four million girls are at risk of undergoing FGM this year, according to the UN.

Source

• Reuters