Giving Compass' Take:

• FGM survivors in Africa are calling for more mental health and trauma services for women and girls post surgeries that are still deeply affected and need help. 

• Women are leading the charge to end FGM in their own communities. Funders can support them to boost their efforts.

• Read more about how we can end female genital cutting.

African survivors of female genital mutilation (FGM) said mental health services are their biggest need and urged governments and charities to provide support for dealing with long-term trauma.

Survivors and activists from across the continent attending a summit on FGM and child marriage in Senegal said mental health should have been on the agenda.

Common in 28 African countries, FGM is often seen as a rite of passage and justified for cultural or religious reasons but can cause chronic pain, infertility, and even death.

"We don't have mental health services for survivors of FGM — that is a big thing that is missing in Africa," said Virginia Lekumoisa, a survivor from Kenya who works for the government on children's rights.

Mental health services are lacking in Africa in general, with less than one mental health worker for every 100,000 people, according to the World Health Organization.

Read the full article about FGM survivors by Nellie Peyton at Global Citizen.