Female genital mutilation is also sometimes called circumcision.
Circumcision is also performed on men. In men, circumcision removes the foreskin of the penis.
Genital mutilation of girls and women involves changing or removing parts of the outer genitals. Sometimes the clitoris and parts of the labia are removed. Sometimes the labia are sewn together. Sometimes the entrance to the vagina is also sewn shut. That's why the term "mutilation" is used; it describes what really happens.
Female genital mutilation is still performed in many countries in Africa and some countries in Asia. Women from the family or the community will do it when the girls are still young. Female genital mutilation is a violation of human rights. In Europe it is forbidden by law. People who mutilate the genitals of girls or women can be punished with imprisonment.
The World Health Organization distinguishes different types of female genital mutilation:
- a partial or complete removal of the clitoris (Type 1)
- a partial or complete removal of the clitoris and the labia (Type 2)
- sewing the labia together, leaving only a small opening for urine and blood to be excreted from the body (type 3)
- all other harmful interventions on the visible sexual organs of a woman, for example, pricking, cutting, scratching and burning.
Female genital mutilation is dangerous to the health of girls and women.
Direct consequences of genital mutilation can be:
- severe pain
- fever
- severe bleeding that can lead to death
- injury to other organs
- extreme fear, trauma
- inflammation in the genitals or even in the whole body
- tetanus
- contraction of HIV or other STIs
- pain when urinating
Consequences for girls in puberty and later in life as adults can be:
- pain during their menstrual period and urination
- scarring
- a painful and complicated birth for mother and child
- fistulas
- infertility
- painful sexual intercourse and reduced sexual desire
- depression and other mental illnesses
If you have been subjected to female genital mutilation or if you are afraid that it may be inflicted upon you, you can get advice and counselling here:
You can find information about medical assistance after female genital mutilation here.
