Queensland genital mutilation trial abandoned

A trial for a couple accused of sending their daughters to Africa to undergo female genital mutilation has been abandoned.

Judge Craig Chowdhury discharged the jury at the Beenleigh District Court on Tuesday after the couple, who had been self-representing, requested legal advice.

The man and woman have been charged with two counts each of removing a child from Queensland for genital mutilation.

Laws banning female genital mutilation came into effect 18 years ago.

The trial began on Monday, more than three years after the husband and wife allegedly sent their daughters from Queensland to Africa to undergo female circumcision.

It's alleged the children, aged nine and 12 at the time, were flown to Africa in April 2015.

A new trial date is yet to be determined and the matter has been adjourned for mention on Friday.

What is female genital mutilation?

 Female genital mutilation, also known as FGM/C, refers to all procedures involving partial or total removal of female genitalia for non-medical reasons.

FGM/C is a human rights violations and is condemned by several international treaties and conventions as well as legislation in many countries, including Australia.

While there has been an overall decline over the last three decades, the age-old tradition continues today.

While the exact number of girls and women worldwide who have undergone FGM/C is unknown, UNICEF estimates more than 130 million have undergone some form of procedure in 30 countries.