Female genital mutilation (FGM), also known as female genital cutting or female circumcision, 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. This deeply harmful practice affects an estimated 200 million girls and women alive today across more than 30 countries, predominantly in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.
What Constitutes Female Genital Mutilation
The World Health Organization classifies FGM into four main types. Type I involves the partial or total removal of the clitoris. Type II includes the partial or total removal of the clitoris and the labia minora. Type III, known as infibulation, is the most severe form, involving narrowing of the vaginal opening through the creation of a covering seal. Type IV encompasses all other harmful procedures to the female genitalia for non-medical purposes, including pricking, piercing, or scraping.
These procedures are typically performed on girls between infancy and age 15, though the age varies by community. In most cases, traditional practitioners with no medical training carry out the procedure using crude instruments such as knives, razor blades, or broken glass, often without anesthesia or proper sterilization.
The Physical and Psychological Consequences
The immediate health risks of FGM are severe and include:
- Severe pain and shock
- Excessive bleeding that can lead to death
- Infections, including tetanus and blood-borne diseases
- Urinary problems
- Injury to surrounding genital tissue
Long-term complications persist throughout a woman's life. Women who have undergone FGM face increased risks of chronic infections, cyst formation, infertility, and complications during childbirth, including higher rates of infant and maternal mortality. The psychological trauma can manifest as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, and sexual dysfunction.
Why the Practice Persists
Understanding why FGM continues despite its harmful nature requires examining the complex social, cultural, and economic factors that sustain it. In communities where it is practiced, FGM is often deeply embedded in cultural identity and social norms.
Many communities view FGM as a rite of passage into womanhood, a prerequisite for marriage, or a means of preserving family honor. In some cultures, it is incorrectly believed to ensure virginity, reduce female sexual desire, or promote hygiene and cleanliness. Religious justification is sometimes cited, though FGM predates Islam and Christianity and is not required by any religious text.
Social pressure plays a significant role. Families may fear that uncut daughters will be unmarriageable, face social exclusion, or bring shame to the family. In communities where the practice is nearly universal, not conforming can result in severe social and economic consequences for both the girl and her family.
The Legal and Human Rights Framework
International recognition of FGM as a human rights violation has grown significantly. The practice violates rights to health, security, physical integrity, and freedom from torture and cruel treatment. It also violates children's rights when performed on minors who cannot give informed consent.
In India, while FGM is not as widespread as in some other countries, it is practiced by certain communities, most notably among some members of the Dawoodi Bohra community. However, India currently has no specific law banning FGM, though the practice can be prosecuted under existing laws related to assault and child protection.
Globally, at least 40 countries have enacted legislation specifically criminalizing FGM. International bodies including the United Nations have called for its complete elimination, with Sustainable Development Goal 5.3 targeting the elimination of all harmful practices including FGM by 2030.
Moving Toward Elimination
Efforts to eliminate FGM require multi-faceted approaches that respect cultural sensitivities while prioritizing human rights and health. Successful strategies include:
- Community-led education programs that engage traditional and religious leaders
- Economic empowerment initiatives for women and girls
- Alternative rites of passage that maintain cultural significance without harm
- Legal enforcement combined with support services for survivors
- Healthcare provider training to recognize and treat complications
Grassroots movements, often led by survivors and women from affected communities, have been instrumental in changing attitudes and practices. When communities collectively decide to abandon FGM, the social pressure that once sustained it can become a force for change.
This article provides general information about female genital mutilation for educational purposes. Survivors of FGM should consult qualified healthcare professionals for appropriate medical and psychological support services.
