What is female genital mutilation (FGM)?
A. Female genital mutilation (sometimes erroneously called “female circumcision”) refers to three different kinds of cutting procedures performed on the external genitalia (vulva) of young girls or women. The three basic types of FGM are: • “Sunna” circumcision—The cutting of the prepuce or “hood” of the clitoris, preserving the clitoris itself. The least commonly practiced form of FGM. • Excision—The cutting of the clitoris (clitoridectomy), together with adjacent or all parts of the labia minora, without closure of the vulva. The most common type of FGM in African countries, except in Somalia and the Sudan. • Infibulation—The cutting of the clitoris, labia minora and at least the anterior (forward) two-thirds of the labia majora. The two sides of the vulva are sewn together, so that only a small opening is left to allow for urinary and menstrual flow. The stitching together of the vulva after the procedure is called infibulation.Q. How many people are affected and where? A. There are
