( CNN ) -- Ten villages in western Niger have publicly denounced the practice of female genital mutilation , according to a UNICEF report . Representatives from the West African nation 's Tillabery region have called for all people living there to end the practice , the report said . `` We have decided to definitively put an end to female genital mutilation in our villages and to continue sensitizing neighboring villages so they also give up the practice , '' said N. Babobou Pana , leader of one of the villages . Heading the call was Kompoa Tamkpa , a former traditional practitioner . `` I have given up the bad work , because it does not bring anything to our village , '' she said . `` We thought it was good for women , that it was going to bring them success . But we found out that it does not bring anything . '' Female genital mutilation , which is also called female circumcision , is commonly performed on young girls without anesthesia , and is extremely painful and traumatizing , UNICEF said . The practice involves partial or total removal of the external female genitalia and can result in prolonged bleeding , a higher risk of HIV infection , infertility and even death . The procedures are based on religious and cultural beliefs , including efforts to prevent premarital sex and marital infidelity . `` UNICEF is extremely pleased with this public declaration to end female genital mutilation in this part of Niger , as it is seen by Nigerian authorities as a severe violation of the rights of women and young girls , '' said Akhil Iyer , a UNICEF representative in Niger . The rate of genital mutilation in Niger dropped by more than half between 1998 and 2006 , from 5.8 percent to 2 percent , according to a government survey released last year . But about 66 percent of women in the west of the country are still subjected to the practice , the report said . The practice is most common in western , eastern and northeastern regions of Africa , as well as in some countries in Asia and the Middle East , and among certain immigrant communities in the United States and Europe .
10 villages in Niger , West Africa , denounce practice of female genital mutilation . Practice , performed on young girls without anesthesia , is extremely painful . Rate of female circumcision has dropped but still common in west of Niger . Practice also common in western , eastern and northeastern regions of Africa .