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About Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

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FGM is a.k.a. female circumcision, female genital cutting, and "cutting."

This section is translated into Polish at: http://www.pkwteile.de

What It Is:

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is an invasive and painful surgical procedure that is often performed without anesthetic on girls before puberty. Various sources estimate that from about 60 to 140 million women in the world have been circumcised. An average of about four girls a minute continue to be mutilated. Their prepuce is removed and their clitoris may be partially or completely removed. In some traditions the operation is far more invasive: the labia minora are also surgically removed and the labia majora are sewn together, covering the urethra and vagina. A small opening is retained for the passage of urine and menstrual fluid. IndyMedia Ireland has published a diagram showing various FGM techniques. ₁

The result is that sexual feelings are either reduced or permanently terminated. Sexual intercourse is often extremely painful for the woman. Childbirth often involves a Caesarian section.

FGM has been a social custom in Northern Africa for millennia. Many people associate FGM with the religion of Islam. Actually, it is a social custom that is practiced by Animists, Christians, and Muslims in those countries where FGM is common. There are many Muslim countries in which the mutilation is essentially unknown, including Algeria, Iraq, Iran, Kuwait, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. ₂ FGM is nearly universal in Indonesia as well -- the world's largest predominately Muslim country. However the procedures performed appear to be minimally invasive in that country. ₃

FGM is occasionally performed in North America and Europe on girls of families have immigrated from countries where FGM is common.

An analogous practice, Intersexual Genital Mutilation, (IGM) is sometimes performed on intersexual infants throughout the world. These born with ambiguous genitalia that do not clearly match the typical male or female pattern. ₂ Since it is much easier for surgeons to remove than to fabricate body parts, intersexual infants were often surgically treated to make them appear female. The infant was then raised as a girl. This has led to disastrous outcomes after puberty.

Topics covered in this section:

	FGM in Africa, the Middle East and the Far East Introduction: A cultural, not a religious, practice. Forms of FGM. Where it is done. Why is it done? Terminology. Trends. Debate over FGM FGM in Egypt: Prior to 2007 From 2007 to now Additional information: books & Internet sites
	FGM in North America and Europe FGM in the UK
	IGM in North America and Europe
	Further information: Books and reports on FGM Links to FGM websites

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Reference used:

1. "Egypt formally bans Female Circumcision," IndyMedia Ireland, 2007-JUN-28, at: http://www.indymedia.ie/ That web site states: "If diagrams of female genitals (with or without clitoris) offend you don't look at this image." However, they located the warning under the diagrams.
2. "Training Kit: Prevention and Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation among Immigrants in Europe," African Women's Organisation, (2005), Page 13.

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Copyright © 1998 to 2011 by Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance
Originally published: 1998-MAR-13
Last updated 2011-APR-07
Author: Bruce A Robinson

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For a Belorussian translation of this page, see: on http://www.designcontest.com/show/fem-circ-be

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