Definition

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) refers to all procedures involving the partial or total removal of external female genitalia, or other injury to female genital organs, for non-medical reasons. The World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and the United Nations classify it as a violation of human rights.

The Four Main Types of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

Type 1 (Clitoridectomy):
Part or all of the clitoris, and sometimes the skin that covers it (called the clitoral hood), is removed.

Type 2 (Excision):
Part or all of the clitoris and the inner folds of the vulva (called the labia minora) are removed. In some cases, the outer folds (labia majora) are also cut.

Type 3 (Infibulation):
The vaginal opening is narrowed by creating a covering seal. This is done by cutting and repositioning the inner or outer folds of the vulva, sometimes stitched together, with or without removing parts of the clitoris.

Type 4:
Covers all other harmful procedures done for non-medical reasons, such as pricking, piercing, scraping, or burning the genital area.

Statistics and Global Context

According to the World Health Organization, more than 230 million women and girls alive today have unwillingly undergone FGM in over 30 countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia where FGM is practiced.

Treatment of the health complications of FGM is estimated to cost health systems US$ 1.4 billion per year, a number expected to rise unless urgent action is taken towards its abandonment.

FGM is internationally recognized as a form of gender-based violence and one of the most severe violations of a woman’s body and rights.