What is female genital mutilation ?

Female genital mutilation (or FGM) is an operation whereby some or all of the external female genitalia are removed, for traditional reasons. Procedures vary across the world, but most commonly the clitoris and labia are cut off using a blade. FGM is illegal in many countries, but still common across the world. In 2016, Unicef estimated that at least 200 million women in 30 countries had been subjected to the practice during their lives.

FGM is usually carried out by an older woman, taking on the role of circumciser. The cutting may be done with or without anaesthesia, often using a non-sterile item like a knife, razor, pair of scissors, piece of glass or fingernails. The circumciser partially or completely removes the clitoris, and sometimes the inner labia too. In some cases, the outer labia are sewn closed with the vagina only opened for sexual intercourse when the girl is older.

FGM is most commonly practised in Subsaharan Africa and the Middle East. In countries like Somalia, Guinea and Djibouti, it’s estimated that over 90% of women between the ages of 15-49 have been subjected to FGM. A CDC report in 2016 estimated that over 500,000 women in the United States were either at risk of FGM, or already victims.

FGM has been carried out for thousands of years actually, since well before Islam or Christianity arrived in the regions in question. Some communities defend the practice, saying it preserves women’s virginity, increases sexual pleasure for men and decreases it for women. Other justifications include saying it is a rite of passage for young girls before they become an adult.

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