Female genital mutilation and other harmful practices

Female genital mutilation (FGM) comprises all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. FGM is recognized internationally as a violation of the human rights of girls and women.

Factual overview
The practice of FGM has no health benefits, causes severe pain and has several immediate and long-term health consequences. It is mostly carried out by traditional providers, who often play other central roles in communities, such as attending childbirths.
Fact sheet | Classification | Prevalence | Ending FGM | Trends in FGM

Health care providers should not perform FGM
WHO is seriously concerned about health care providers performing FGM, as it contributes to undermine this global effort to eliminate the practice. A recent estimate suggests that more than 18% of all girls and women who have undergone female genital mutilation, have had the procedure performed on them by health care providers. This we refer to as "medicalization of FGM".
Helsinki Declarion [pdf 72kb] | WHO Resolution [pdf 15kb]

Research and evidence WHO's response includes research to generate knowledge about the causes and consequences of FGM, how to eliminate it, and how to care for those who have experienced FGM. FGM and the decision-making process Community interventions to eradicate FGM FGM and sexuality Economic costs of FGM Effect of FGM on obstetric outcome FGM and obstetric fistula

Publications Advocacy, clinical guides, research articles, monitoring and programmatic issues. Interagency statement Full list Documents available in French Other harmful practices Multi-country study on gender, sexuality and vaginal practices Related links Gender, women and health WHO site

More publications on FGM

Report
This report provides an estimate of the number of women in Africa who have undergone female genital mutilation.
Available from the Demographic and Health Survey web site