I think it's important that we calls this what it is - genuine misogyny and organised crime delivered by a movement that purports to be a religion.

The ABC carries this report today about the Islamic State in Iraq.

Iraq crisis: Islamic State militants order genital mutilation for females in Mosul, says United Nations

Militant group Islamic State has ordered all girls and women in and around Iraq's northern city of Mosul to undergo female genital mutilation, the United Nations says.

The "fatwa" issued by the Sunni Muslim fighters will potentially affect 4 million women and girls, UN resident and humanitarian coordinator in Iraq Jacqueline Badcock told reporters by video-link from the Iraqi city of Arbil on Thursday.

"This is something very new for Iraq, particularly in this area, and is of grave concern and does need to be addressed," she said.

"This is not the will of Iraqi people, or the women of Iraq in these vulnerable areas covered by the terrorists."

No-one was immediately available for comment from Islamic State, which has led an offensive through northern and western Iraq.

ISIS is asserting its power in northern Iraq by imposing radical Islamic practices.

The ritual cutting of girls' genitals is traditional in some African, Middle Eastern and Asian communities in the belief it prepares them for adulthood or marriage.

It is often justified as a means of suppressing a woman's sexual desire to prevent "immoral" behaviour.

The practice poses serious health risks to women, including severe bleeding, infertility and increased risk of deaths in childbirth.

The news comes as the UN promotes a new campaign to eradicate female genital mutilation (FGM) worldwide within a generation.

More than 130 million girls and women globally have undergone FGM, an international conference in London was told this week.