FGM-EqualityNow.PDFVIP

EQUALITY NOW FACTSHEET Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in the United States What is FGM? Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a harmful traditional practice that involves the removal of part or all of the female genitalia. The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified FGM into 4 types:  Clitoridectomy: partial or total removal of the clitoris and/or the prepuce  Excision: partial or total removal of the clitoris and the labia minora, with or without excision of the labia majora  Infibulation: the most extreme form, the removal of all external genitalia and the stitching together of the two sides of the vulva  Other: all other harmful procedures done to the female genitalia for nonmedical purposes, for example, pricking, piercing, incising, scraping and cauterizing What are the health consequences of FGM? FGM is generally performed without anesthetic, and can have lifelong health consequences including chronic infection, hemorrhage, severe pain during urination, menstruation, and sexual intercourse. It could lead to complications during childbirth and increases the risk of newborn deaths. Women may also suffer psychological trauma as a result of being subjected to FGM. While anti-FGM advocates occasionally report cases of death as a direct or indirect result of FGM, there is no statistical data on how many girls die from the procedure. FGM is recognized internationally as a human rights violation, torture and an extreme form of violence and discrimination against women and girls. Why is FGM performed?  To control women’s sexuality and to ensure virginity until marriage and fidelity in marriage.  To make a girl more acceptable in the community and increases her eligibility for marriage.  As a traditional rite of passage into adulthood, often surrounded by various myths.  FGM is associated with notions of bei