About FGM
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), also referred to as Female Cutting (FGM/C), describes the partial or total removal or injury of the external female genitalia for non-medical reasons.
Where does FGM occur?
FGM is practiced in approximately more than 90 countries worldwide. In 2020, the End FGM European Network published a report identifying 92 countries. This includes 51 countries where FGM is carried out, 15 countries where it is practiced within diaspora communities, and 26 countries where the situation remains unclear.
FGM is not confined to Africa or the Middle East. It is a global issue. In Europe, FGM is practiced among diaspora communities, including in Austria and Germany. The European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) estimates that 12–18 % of girls (735–1,083 girls) aged 0 to 18 are at risk of FGM in Austria out of a total population of 5,910 girls aged 0 to 18 in 2019 and originating from countries where FGM is practised. Of these 5,910 migrant girls, 38 percent (2 243) are second generation. Girls at risk of FGM in Austria mostly originate from Egypt and Somalia. Smaller groups originate from Ethiopia, Guinea, Iraq, Nigeria and Sudan. According to the German Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth, approximately 67,000 women living in Germany have undergone FGM, and an estimated 15,000 girls are at risk.
What are the types of FGM?
The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies FGM into four main types:
Type I – Clitoridectomy:
Clitoridectomy refers to the partial or total removal of the externally visible part of the clitoris and/or the clitoral hood (prepuce).
This form is often mistakenly referred to as a "mild" type of FGM. However, this is misleading: the clitoris is a highly sensitive and complex organ. Its removal causes not only intense physical pain but can also result in lasting damage to sexual, physical, and emotional health.
Type II – Excision:
Excision involves the partial or total removal of the clitoris and the inner labia (labia minora). In some cases, the outer labia (labia majora) may also be cut or damaged.
Type III – Infibulation:
Infibulation is considered the most severe form of FGM. It involves the removal of the clitoris and the labia, followed by stitching the vaginal opening closed, leaving only a small hole for urine and menstrual blood to pass through.
For sexual intercourse or childbirth, the opening must be surgically or manually reopened – and in many cases, it is sewn shut again afterward.
This practice causes lifelong physical and psychological trauma and represents a grave violation of bodily autonomy and human dignity.
Why is FGM performed?
FGM is performed as part of an initiation ritual marking the transition from girlhood to womanhood. The reasons vary by region and culture, often linked to social prestige, purity, and honor. While some myths justify the practice, no major religion mandates it. FGM is frequently tied to marriage eligibility and is justified through cultural, religious, and traditional beliefs. These practices are prevalent in many regions, across various religious backgrounds, including Christianity, Islam, and indigenous belief systems.
What are the physical and psychological consequences of FGM?
FGM has severe and lasting physical and psychological consequences. Physically, it can lead to chronic pain, infections, complications during childbirth, even death. It also increases the risk of HIV transmission due to the use of unsterile tools.
Psychologically, the trauma of FGM can lead to long-term mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and feelings of powerlessness.
Many survivors struggle with feelings of shame, fear, and loss of identity, often affecting their relationships and overall well-being. The impact of FGM extends far beyond the immediate procedure, with lifelong consequences for the affected women and girls.
This reinforces the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to prevent and eliminate FGM.
Isn´t FGM forbidden?
FGM is banned in nearly all countries, but enforcement is often weak or nonexistent. In some countries, perpetrators – including family members and those performing the procedure – are rarely held accountable. However, there are regions where FGM is not explicitly prohibited or where laws are not effectively enforced.
For example, in Somalia, FGM is widespread without a comprehensive legal ban. Similarly, Sudan has laws against FGM, but their enforcement remains weak. In Egypt, while FGM is illegal, it continues to be common, especially in rural areas. Yemen also sees prevalent FGM, with no clear legal framework prohibiting the practice. In Indonesia, although some regions have laws against FGM, there is no nationwide ban, allowing the practice to continue in certain areas.
These countries face significant challenges due to cultural traditions that perpetuate FGM – despite international efforts to eliminate it.
Why should FGM not be considered in isolation?
Measures to end FGM require a holistic approach that involves both women and men equally. FGM must be seen in the context of family planning and HIV/AIDS.
Through the act, girls transition into adulthood and often get married shortly afterward – even if they are still minors. As a consequence they then usually drop out of school.
This increases the risk of teenage pregnancies, and the girls lose their chance to determine their own lives. They fall from one unintended pregnancy to the next and end up dependent on their husbands or families.
Moreover, the mutilation, which is still often carried out with unsterile instruments, further increases the risk of contracting HIV/AIDS.
What can be done against FGM?
National governments must increase monitoring of the enforcement of existing FGM laws or pass such laws in countries where they do not yet exist (in Africa, this applies to seven countries). Violations of existing laws must be sanctioned.
Incorporating the issue into national education curricula will raise awareness, foster understanding, and encourage active engagement.
Civil society, especially in rural areas with limited education, requires widespread awareness campaigns, as many people are unaware of the consequences of FGM.
Alternatives to FGM, such as other culturally appropriate rites of passage, must be developed and promoted in collaboration with the communities that practice FGM.
Former practitioners of FGM must be offered alternative income opportunities through employment programs. It is also crucial that these practitioners are not punished, but rather encouraged to publicly abandon their tools, receiving societal recognition for doing so.
The international community must put greater pressure on countries that continuously violate human rights through FGM, urging them to adhere to international human rights standards.
Donor governments should link conditions to aid funding, particularly regarding the enforcement of human rights, guaranteed healthcare, and education for all. Private investors should also prioritize human rights adherence in their investments.
FGM awareness must be carried out in all countries, including in the Global North, where FGM may occur in hidden forms through migration and immigration.
A comprehensive approach is crucial to effectively combat FGM worldwide.
