Female genital mutilation

What is female genital mutilation? (FGM)

Female genital mutilation or FGM is a term which describes any procedure that damages the female genitals without a medical reason.

This can be the external genitalia, which are the parts between your legs, usually covered by underwear. It can also be the internal genitalia which is inside your body.

FGM can happen at any stage of a woman’s life, but most of the time it happens before the age of 15.

FGM has no medical benefits and is a violation of human rights.

FGM has many different names, and these may vary depending on cultural context.

What are the different types of FGM?

There are four main types of FGM, but not every case of FGM will fit into one of these types and sometimes a combination of types applies.

Type 1: removal of the clitoris (a small, sensitive part of the female genitals) and sometimes the skin around it.

Type 2: removal of the clitoris, inner labia (the inner lips around the vagina) and sometimes the outer labia (the larger, outer lips).

Type 3: making the vaginal opening smaller by cutting the labia and sewing them together.

Type 4: any other harmful actions to the female genital area, such as cutting, scraping, pricking, burning or piercing.

How does FGM affect women?

FGM has no health benefits and can cause both short-term and long-term harm.

Short-term harm

• Infections: unclean tools can cause serious infections, sometimes life-threatening.
• Heavy bleeding: can be very dangerous.
• Severe pain: the procedure is extremely painful.
• Emotional shock or trauma: women and girls may feel scared, upset or shocked.

Long-term harm

• Problems with passing urine or periods: a small opening for pee or menstrual blood can cause pain, infections and difficulty holding urine.
• More dangerous childbirth: giving birth can be harder, and some women may need surgery to open the vaginal area.
• Ongoing emotional problems: women may have long-lasting sadness, fear or anxiety because of FGM.

What is medicalized FGM?

FGM is never safe and has no health benefits, but sometimes it is done by a doctor, nurse or other health worker. This is called medicalized FGM.

There are several reasons this happens:

• Some people believe FGM is safer if done by a doctor.
• Some believe doing it in a clinic gives more control and might help end FGM.
• Sometimes the health worker comes from a community where FGM is traditional and sees it as normal.
• In some cases, medical FGM is paid for.

Even if it is done in a clinic or hospital, FGM is still harmful.

What are the laws about FGM?

FGM is recognized worldwide as a violation of the human rights of women and girls and is a form of violence against women. Over 70 countries have introduced laws that make FGM illegal.

Even with these laws, FGM still happens illegally, and some people will cross borders to perform FGM in places where it is still legal or where laws are not enforced.

The United Nations has set targets to stop FGM by the end of this decade. Laws and bans are important, but to really end FGM, people in communities need to keep speaking out and taking action.

What should I do if I am worried about myself or someone else?

If you or someone you know might be at risk of FGM, act quickly. Contact the police or emergency services, or reach out to local or national helplines and child protection groups for confidential support. Organizations like UNICEF, UNFPA and Child Helpline International (https://www.childhelplineinternational.org) can help connect you to safe local services.

Many doctors, nurses and schools know how to spot and help with FGM. They can give support or connect you with the right services. If you or someone you know is traveling to a place where FGM happens, get advice from a trusted organization or the authorities. You are not alone. Local and global groups are there to help keep you safe.