AMS Women's Issues

Female genital mutilation (FGM) includes procedures that intentionally alter or injure female genital organs for non-medical reasons.

later, potential childbirth

problems urinating

complications

newborn deaths

age 15

young girls

infancy

Female genital mutilation

involve partial

total removal of the external female genitalia

injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.

practice is mostly carried out by traditional circumcisers

FGM is being performed by health care providers

FGM is recognized internationally as a violation of the human rights of girls and women.

inequality between the sexes,

discrimination against women.

procedure results in death

Procedures Female genital mutilation is classified into four major types. Clitoridectomy: partial or total removal of the clitoris (a small, sensitive and erectile part of the female genitals) and, in very rare cases, only the prepuce (the fold of skin surrounding the clitoris). Excision: partial or total removal of the clitoris and the labia minora, with or without excision of the labia majora (the labia are "the lips" that surround the vagina). Infibulation: narrowing of the vaginal opening through the creation of a covering seal. The seal is formed by cutting and repositioning the inner, or outer, labia, with or without removal of the clitoris. Other: all other harmful procedures to the female genitalia for non-medical purposes, e.g. pricking, piercing, incising, scraping and cauterizing the genital area.

Immediate complications can include severe pain, shock, haemorrhage (bleeding), tetanus or sepsis

(bacterial infection)

urine retention, open sores in the genital region and injury to nearby genital tissue

Long-term consequences can include: recurrent bladder and urinary tract infections; cysts; infertility; an increased risk of childbirth complications and newborn deaths; the need for later surgeries. For example, the FGM procedure that seals or narrows a vaginal opening (type 3 above) needs to be cut open later to allow for sexual intercourse and childbirth. Sometimes it is stitched again several times, including after childbirth, hence the woman goes through repeated opening and closing procedures, further increasing and repeated both immediate and long-term risks.