Female genital mutilation
(FGM), often referred to as 'female circumcision', comprises all
procedures involving partial or total removal of the external
female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs
whether for cultural, religious or other non-therapeutic reasons.
There are different types of female genital mutilation known to be
practised today. (source: World Health
Organization)
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Four Basic Types of Female Genital
Mutilation
(Source:
World Health Organization)
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Type I
- excision of the prepuce, with or without excision of
part or all of the clitoris;
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Type II - excision of the
clitoris with partial or total excision of the labia
minora;
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Type III - excision of
part or all of the external genitalia and stitching/narrowing of
the vaginal opening (infibulation);
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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;
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OTHER - 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 tightening or narrowing it; and any other
procedure that falls under the definition given above.
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