FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION (FGM) FACT SHEET
FACT SHEET
FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION (FGM)
What is FGM I Effects of FGM I Who Is Affected? I Laws And Law Enforcement I
Motivations Behind FGM I FGM And Male Circumcision I Eradicating FGM I
Additional Resources I Videos About FGM I News Coverage - FGM
FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION (FGM) FACT SHEET
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FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION (FGM) FACT SHEET
“No child shall be subjected to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.”
- United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, Article 37a1 2
WHAT IS FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION?
Female Genital Mutilation, known as FGM, includes all procedures involving partial or
complete removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs
for non-medical reasons.3 It is generally practiced on girls between the ages of four and
twelve. In some cultures it is performed as early as a few days after birth or as late as shortly
prior to marriage.4 There are four major types of FGM.5

Type I: the removal of the prepuce (the fold of skin surrounding the
clitoris) with or without or the entire clitoris (sensitive and erectile
part of the female genitals)

Type II: excision of the clitoris with labia minora and partial or total
labia majora

Type III: the removal of part or all of the external genitalia and
stitching/narrowing of the vaginal opening, leaving a small opening
for urine and menstrual blood (infibulation)

Type IV — pricking, piercing or incising of the clitoris and/or labia;
stretching of the clitoris and/or labia; cauterization by burning of the
clitoris and surrounding tissue; scraping of tissue surrounding the
vaginal orifice (angurya cuts) or cutting of the vagina (gishiri cuts);
introduction of corrosive substances or herbs into the vagina to cause
bleeding or for the purpose of tightening6
1 “Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights”, United Nations Convention on the Rights of the
Child. 1990.
http://www2.ohchr.org/english/law/crc.htm
2 “Media Center – Female genital mutilation Fact Sheet.” World Health Organization (WHO). No. 241. February 2013
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs241/en/
3 Dr Trisha Macnai,” Female Genital Mutilation”, BBC January 2011,
http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/physical_health/conditions/female_genital_mutilation.shtml;“Global Consultation on
Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting”, UN Population Fund, 2008,
http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/4ae6ac93ba.html
4 Charlotte Feldman-Jacobs and Donna Clifton, , “Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting: Data and Trends Update 2010”,
Population Reference Bureau , 2010, http://www.prb.org/Publications/Datasheets/2010/fgm2010.aspx
5 Dr Trisha Macnai,” Female Genital Mutilation”, BBC January 2011,
http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/physical_health/conditions/female_genital_mutilation.shtml;
6 Christian Nordqvist, , “What is Female Genital Mutilation?”, Medical News Today, February 15th, 2012,
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/241726.php;
FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION (FGM) FACT SHEET
EFFECTS OF FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION
FGM is a violation of basic human rights. It denies the victim physical and mental integrity, a
normal sexual life, freedom from violence and subjugation, and in the most extreme cases,
causes death.7
FGM serves no medical purposes for its victims. FGM has long been regarded a critical public
health issue by the WHO (World Health Organization) and other national and international
health organizations because of its harmful physical and mental effects.
Short-term complications may include hemorrhaging, pain, shock, and even death, while
long-term complications include formation of cysts, problems with sexual intercourse, and
chronic pelvic infection. Studies suggest that FGM is also likely to increase the risk of HIV
infection as the same unsterilized instrument may be used on many different girls.
The trauma of FGM often lasts a lifetime and can cause depression and anxiety, among other
psychological problems.
All forms of FGM (with perhaps the exception of a symbolic procedure only) reduce or
eliminate sexual pleasure for the victim.
Obstetric problems are very common among women who have been mutilated. FGM affects a
woman’s ability to give birth naturally as well as a lower rate of survival to babies born to
women who have been mutilated. The risk of still births increase significantly for women who
have been subjected to FGM.8
FGM affects not only women in southern Asia, the Middle East and Africa, but also remains
within the immigrant communities in the United States and Europe.9
The overwhelming majority of mutilations are performed by untrained lay people, although
they are occasionally performed by doctors. Among the instruments used are special knives,
razors, scissors, scalpels, and even shards of glass. Anesthesia is rarely used except in some
cases when carried out by medical practitioners.10
7 United Nations Children’s Fund, ‘Changing a Harmful Social Convention: Female genital mutilation/cutting’, Innocenti
Digest, UNICEF Innocenti Research Centre, Florence, 2005, p. vii.
8 Rachel Ruderman, The Michigan Journal of Public Affairs – Volume 10, Spring 2013; Gerald R. Ford School of Public
Policy, University of Michigan; mjpa.umich.edu
9 Sandra Jordan, , “Empowering Communities to End Female Genital Mutilation”, U.S Agency for International
Development (USAID), February 6th, 2012, available at: http://blog.usaid.gov/2012/02/empowering-communities-tohelp-eliminate-female-genital-mutilation/ [accessed 4 September 2012]
10 “Frequently Asked Questions on Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting”, UNFPA,
http://www.unfpa.org/gender/practices2.htm
FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION (FGM) FACT SHEET
WHO IS AFFECTED?

Every year, it is estimated that 3 million girls undergo FGM. 11

FGM is mostly carried out on young girls between infancy and age 15.12

FGM in the West is mainly practiced in immigrant Muslim communities. 13

In the West, girls and women are often taken to their countries of origin during
school holidays in order to be mutilated. 14

FGM has been documented in parts of Africa, Asia and the Middle East and is now
encountered in immigrant communities in Europe, Australia, Canada, and the United
States.15 16 17 18

Between 150,000-200,000 girls in the United States are at risk of being forced to
undergo FGM.19

An estimated 30,000 women living in Germany have been subjected to FGM and
6,000 girls are at risk.20
11 UNICEF, Coordinated Strategy to Abandon Female Genital Mutilation in One Generation,
http://www.childinfo.org/files/fgmc_Coordinated_Strategy_to_Abandon_FGMC__in_One_Generation_eng.pdf
12 “Media Center – Female genital mutilation Fact Sheet.” World Health Organization (WHO). No. 241. February 2013
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs241/en/
13 “Issues - female genital mutilation.”, Ayaan Hirsi Ali (AHA) Foundation
http://theahafoundation.org/issues/female-genital-mutilation/ ; “Eliminating Female Genital Mutilation: An Interagency
Statement”, World Health Organization, 2008, pg.11
http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2008/9789241596442_eng.pdf; “Media Center – Female genital mutilation Fact
Sheet.” World Health Organization (WHO). No. 241. February 2013
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs241/en/
14 “The Issue: Female Genital Mutilation”, PBS, Speak Truth to Power
http://www.pbs.org/speaktruthtopower/issue_female.html; BRINDA ADHIKARI AND LARA SALAHI, “Female Genital
Cutting: Affecting Young Girls in America”, ABC World News, June 14th, 2010
http://abcnews.go.com/WN/WorldNews/female-genital-cutting-affecting-young-girlsamerica/story?id=10859231#.UYEs1rXI2So
“European campaign to end FGM. Facts and Figures about female genital mutilation”, Amnesty International.
http://www.endfgm.eu/en/
15 “European campaign to end FGM. Facts and Figures about female genital mutilation”, Amnesty International.
http://www.endfgm.eu/en/
16 Ben Mathews, “Female genital mutilation: Australian law, policy and practical challenges for doctors.”, The Medical
Journal of Australia (MJA). 2011; Volume 194 Number 3 (194:3): 139-141
17. “The AHA Foundation applauds passage of the FGM Act”, The Ayaan Hirsi Ali (AHA) Foundation, January 23rd, 2013
http://theahafoundation.org/news/news-news/the-aha-foundation-applauds-passage-of-the-transport-for-femalegenital-mutilation-act-which-makes-it-illegal-to-knowingly-transport-a-girl-out-of-the-united-states-in-order-to-commitfgm/
18 “Media Center – Female genital mutilation Fact Sheet.” World Health Organization (WHO). No. 241. February 2013
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs241/en/
19 “Female Genital Mutilation in the United States” Sanctuary for Families, March 2013, pg. ii
http://www.sanctuaryforfamilies.org/storage/sanctuary/documents/report_onfgm_w_cover.pdf
FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION (FGM) FACT SHEET

In Australia, the Melbourne Royal Women’s Hospital reported approximately 700
cases of women who have undergone FGM.21

There are approximately 500,000 women and girls living with FGM in the European
Union.22

Researchers estimate that there are 3,000 - 4,000 new FGM cases in the United
Kingdom every year.23

There are currently approximately 86,000 first generation immigrant and refugee
women and girls in the United Kingdom who have undergone FGM in their countries
of origin.24 25 26
LAWS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT

Performing FGM in the United States is illegal. From the year 2013, the U.S. State
Department’s annual country reports will include sections on female genital
mutilation.27

In 2013, United States federal legislation titled, the Transport for Female Genital
Mutilation Act, was amended in order to prohibit transporting a girl abroad for the
purpose of undergoing FGM. Violation carries up to a five-year jail sentence for
perpetrators, the same as that for those who commit FGM in the U.S. 28
20 The Fight against Female Genital Mutilation”, DW, http://www.dw.de/the-fight-against-female-genital-mutilation/a16576486
21 Ben Mathews, “Female genital mutilation: Australian law, policy and practical challenges for doctors.”, The Medical
Journal of Australia (MJA). 2011; Volume 194 Number 3 (194:3); pg. 139-141
22 “ Ending female genital mutilation: A strategy for the European Union institutions.”, Amnesty International, Section
2.3; 2010, pg. 7 http://www.endfgm.eu/content/assets/END_FGM_Final_Strategy.pdf
23 Richard A Powell, Amanda Lawrence, Faith N Mwangi-Powell and Linda Morison “Female Genital Mutilation, asylum
seekers and refugees: the need for an integrated UK policy agenda.”, Forced Migration Review. 14:35. (2004), pg. 35
http://www.fmreview.org/sites/fmr/files/FMRdownloads/en/FMRpdfs/FMR14/fmr14.14.pdf
24 “Female genital mutilation. An RCN educational resource for nursing and midwifery staff”, Royal College of Nursing
(RCN). 2006, pg. 5 http://www.aom.on.ca/files/Communications/Reports_and_Studies/female_genital_mutilation.pdf
25 “Female Genital Mutilation: What is Female Genital Mutilation?” Newcastle Safeguarding Children Board.
http://www.nscb.org.uk/staff-and-volunteers/procedures/female-genital-mutilation
26 Richard A Powell, Amanda Lawrence, Faith N Mwangi-Powell and Linda Morison “Female Genital Mutilation, asylum
seekers and refugees: the need for an integrated UK policy agenda.”, Forced Migration Review. 14:35. (2004), pg. 35
http://www.fmreview.org/sites/fmr/files/FMRdownloads/en/FMRpdfs/FMR14/fmr14.14.pdf
27 “U.S. taking steps to stop female genital mutilation.” U.S Department of State, Feb. 7th. 2013
http://iipdigital.usembassy.gov/st/english/article/2013/02/20130207142226.html?CP.rss=true#axzz2LRFYtJvN
28 “The AHA Foundation applauds passage of the FGM Act.” , Ayaan Hirsi Ali (AHA) Foundation, January 23rd, 2013
http://theahafoundation.org/news/news-news/the-aha-foundation-applauds-passage-of-the-transport-for-femalegenital-mutilation-act-which-makes-it-illegal-to-knowingly-transport-a-girl-out-of-the-united-states-in-order-to-commitfgm/
The Act was designed to address the problem of “vacation cutting”, in which girls living in the United States are taken to
their parents’ country of origin (typically during school breaks) to undergo the procedure.
FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION (FGM) FACT SHEET

On a state level, only 20 American states have legislation to prevent girls from
being taken to another country and having FGM performed on them. 29

Ten European countries have passed legislation criminalizing FGM: Austria,
Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Italy, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and
the United Kingdom.30 Canada also outlaws the practice. 31

In the United Kingdom, it is illegal to perform FGM. It is also a crime to send a girl
overseas to be mutilated.32 However, to date there has not been a single
prosecution for FGM in the UK.33

FGM is illegal in Australia and each State and Territory has its own legislation.34 35

FGM is also prohibited by the most recent policy of the Royal Australian and New
Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. 36

In Sweden, FGM is prohibited,37 and Swedish citizens have a duty to report
information and knowledge about a performed crime of FGM to the police. 38
29 “ Female Genital Mutilation”, The Ayaan Hirsi Ali (AHA) Foundation. 2011
http://theahafoundation.org/issues/female-genital-mutilation/
30 “Responding to Female Genital Mutilation: Striking the Right Balance Between Prosecution and Prevention.”
International Centre of Reproductive Health, 2009 pg. 12
http://www.icrh.org/files/ICRH_rapport%202009_def%20-%20high%20resolution.pdf
31 “Frequently Asked Questions on Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting”, United Nations Population Fund,
http://www.unfpa.org/gender/practices2.htm#21
32 “Female Genital Mutilation – Statutes in the United States and the United Kingdom.” 2010, Ayaan Hirsi Ali (AHA)
Foundation, 2011
http://theahafoundation.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/FGMLAWS_201301.pdf
33 “UK govt ‘very frustrated’ by absence of FGM prosecutions”, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstectrics
(FIGO), May 22nd, 2013 http://www.figo.org/news/uk-govt-very-frustrated-absence-fgm-prosecutions-0011200 ; Cathy
Newman, “UK's first Female Genital Mutilation helpline finally openly tackles the horrific problem”, The Telegraph, June
25th, 2013 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/womens-politics/10141355/UKs-first-Female-Genital-Mutilationhelpline-finally-openly-tackles-the-horrific-problem.html
34 Ben Mathews, “Female genital mutilation: Australian law, policy and practical challenges for doctors.”, The Medical
Journal of Australia (MJA). 2011; Volume 194 Number 3 (194:3); pp. 139-141
https://www.mja.com.au/journal/2011/194/3/female-genital-mutilation-australian-law-policy-and-practical-challengesdoctors
35 “Fact sheet for health professionals: female genital mutilation.”, The Royal Women's Hospital. 2009 pg. 2
http://www.thewomens.org.au/uploads/downloads/HealthProfessionals/FGM/FGM_Health_Professionals_Fact_Sheet
_2009.pdf
36 Ben Mathews, “Female genital mutilation: Australian law, policy and practical challenges for doctors.”, The Medical
Journal of Australia (MJA). 2011; Volume 194 Number 3 (194:3); pp. 139-141
https://www.mja.com.au/journal/2011/194/3/female-genital-mutilation-australian-law-policy-and-practical-challengesdoctors
37 E. Leye, and J. Deblonde, “Legislation in Europe Regarding Female Genital Mutilation and the Implementation of the
Law in Belgium, France, Spain, Sweden and the UK.” International Centre for Reproductive Health., April 2004, pg. 29
http://ec.europa.eu/justice_home/daphnetoolkit/files/projects/2002_058/fgm_legislation_in_europe_icrh.pdf
38 ibid.
FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION (FGM) FACT SHEET
MOTIVATIONS BEHIND FGM
FGM is performed for a variety of religious and cultural reasons including: 39

As a means of controlling and subjugating women in cultures where the family’s
honor is of utmost importance. FGM is viewed as a means to ensure the daughter’s
virginity and that she will not engage in promiscuous behavior. In these societies, a
girl who is not “cut” is not accepted in her community, is considered “impure” and is
not desirable for marriage.

To diminish a girl’s sexuality. At the same time, cultures that require this practice
often claim that as result of the cutting, the man’s sexual pleasure is enhanced.

To uphold the integrity of societies where polygamy is practiced. The claim is that
since it is nearly impossible for a man to satisfy multiple wives, FGM has the effect of
making women less sexually demanding.

As a traditional rite of passage. In these societies, FGM is associated with being
feminine, modest, “clean” and “pure” and thus the ritual is often perpetuated by
women themselves.
FGM AND MALE CIRCUMCISION
Male circumcision consists of the removal of the foreskin, leaving the male sex organ itself
unaffected. Male circumcision is associated with substantial health benefits. The American
Academy of Pediatrics concluded in 2012 that the health benefits of male circumcision clearly
outweigh any risks of the procedure. 40 41
In contrast, there is no health benefit associated with FGM. Moreover, FGM damages, destroys
and/or removes the woman’s sexual organs, causing severe pain, emotional trauma as well as
sexual and reproductive health complications. 42
39 See http://www.equalitynow.org/node/866 and http://www.fgm.co.nz/beliefs-and-issues
40 http://www.equalitynow.org/node/866
41 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2012/08/27/159955340/pediatricians-decide-boys-are-better-off-circumcised-thannot
42 http://www.equalitynow.org/node/866
FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION (FGM) FACT SHEET
ERADICATING FGM
Eradicating FGM in the world depends first and foremost on educating people about the
devastating physical and emotional consequences of this practice. There are governmental
programs, UN agencies, non-profit organizations and some media outlets who are working
towards this goal. Some of the efforts focus on the people belonging to the cultural, religious
groups promulgating and practicing FGM, and others are aimed at educating the public in
Western societies about this issue. Below are links to several campaigns focused on eliminating
FGM.
End FGM: European Campaign | Amnesty International
http://www.endfgm.eu/
Stop FGM Now
http://www.stop-fgm-now.com/campaign
Equality Now
http://www.equalitynow.org/fgm
Forward UK
http://www.forwarduk.org.uk/
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
The AHA Foundation
Female Genital Mutilation Statutes in the United States and the United Kingdom
http://theahafoundation.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/FGMLAWS_201301.pdf
World Health Organization
Eliminating Female Genital Mutilation: An Interagency Statement
OHCHR, UNAIDS, UNDP, UNESCO, UNFPA, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNIFEM, WHO
http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2008/9789241596442_eng.pdf
UNICEF
http://www.unicef.org/protection/57929_58022.html#fgmc
FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION (FGM) FACT SHEET
International Centre of Reproductive Health
http://www.icrh.org/files/ICRH_rapport%202009_def%20-%20high%20resolution.pdf
London Safeguarding Children Board
http://www.londonscb.gov.uk/fgm/
VIDEOS ABOUT FGM

Tradition or Torture? | ABC News
http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/video/tradition-torture-10925475

Female Mutilation in Britain | CNN
http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2007/07/10/black.uk.female.affl?iref=
allsearch

Concerns Over Female Genital Mutilation in Australia | ABC News
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-12-11/prosecutions-and-help-follow-fgmreports/4422480

Female Genital Mutilation - A Sobering Report | Thomson Reuters
Foundation
http://www.clarionproject.org/videos/fgm-sobering-report

Summer of Horror for British Muslim Girls | The Guardian
http://www.clarionproject.org/videos/female-genital-mutilation-summer-horrorbritish-muslim-girls
News Coverage - FGM
Clarion Project’s Ongoing News Reports
http://www.clarionproject.org/tag/female%20genital%20mutilation