Why is female genital cutting considered to be a human rights violation?
FGC is deeply rooted in the traditions of a number of societies, but it is a form of violence against women and girls. In order for this practice to be understood, FGC must be placed within the broader context of discrimination against women across cultures and as a symptom of the greater problem of women’s subordination and compromised dignity. The documented complications of FGC constitute a violation of a person’s right to physical and mental health. Such fundamental freedoms are protected by several universal human rights instruments, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
