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Female genital mutiliation and other harmful practices
FGM Factual overview and classification
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Female genital mutilation has no known health benefits. On the contrary, it is known to be harmful
to girls and women in many ways. First and foremost, it is painful and traumatic. The removal
of or damage to healthy, normal genital tissue interferes with the natural functioning of the body
and causes several immediate and long-term health consequences. For example, babies born
to women who have undergone female genital mutilation suffer a higher rate of neonatal death
compared with babies born to women who have not undergone the procedure.
end in stillbirth or spontaneous abortion, and in a further 25% the newborn has a low birth weight or serious infection, both of which are associated with an increased
risk of perinatal death. Yet, there is still a general under appreciation of the burden of congenital syphilis. A large reduction in congenital syphilis is feasible with relatively simple interventions focused on maternal and newborn care.
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Communities that practise female genital mutilation report a variety of social and religious reasons
for continuing with it. Seen from a human rights perspective, the practice reflects deep-rooted
inequality between the sexes, and constitutes an extreme form of discrimination against women.
Female genital mutilation is nearly always carried out on minors and is therefore a violation of the
rights of the child. The practice also violates the rights to health, security and physical integrity of
the person, the right to be free from torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, and the
right to life when the procedure results in death.
Classification of FGM (2008)
Female genital mutilation comprises all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons (WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, 1997).
The WHO/UNICEF/UNFPA Joint Statement classified female genital mutilation into four types. Experience with using this classification over the past decade has brought to light some ambiguities. The present classification therefore incorporates modifications to accommodate concerns and shortcomings, while maintaining the four types.
- Type I — Partial or total removal of the clitoris and/or the prepuce (clitoridectomy).
- Type II — Partial or total removal of the clitoris and the labia minora, with or without excision of the labia majora (excision).
- Type III — Narrowing of the vaginal orifice with creation of a covering seal by cutting and appositioning the labia minora and/or the labia majora, with or without excision of the clitoris (infibulation).
- Type IV — All other harmful procedures to the female genitalia for non-medical purposes, for example: pricking, piercing, incising, scraping and cauterization.
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