Female genital mutilation
Female genital mutilationFemale genital mutilationKnown by some as female circumcision.Partially or completely removing a woman's labia and/or…Read more is also called female circumcision.
Female genital mutilation can be done in different ways:
- Partly or totally removing the visible part of the clitorisClitorisVery sensitive organ of which the top is visible just above the opening…Read more (type 1);
- Partly or totally removing the visible part of the clitoris and the labiaLabiaSkin that protects the vagina, clitoris and urinary meatus. Women have 2 pairs…Read more (type 2);
- Sewing together the labia so that there is only a small opening through which urineUrineLiquid waste material which people expel from their bodies through the urethra when…Read more and bloodBloodRed fluid that has important functions in the body, for example: carrying oxygen…Read more can leave the body (type 3).
- All other harmful acts to the visible sexual organs of the woman, such as pricking, piercing, incising, scraping and cauterisation.
Female genital mutilation is done for cultural reasons.
Woman lying down with her legs spread. The focus is on the visible sexual organs.
A woman’s visible sexual organs are: 1. outer labia, 2. inner labia, 3. opening of the vagina, 4.clitoris. The urinary meatus (5) and anus (6) are not part of the sexual organs.
Female genital mutilation - Type 1: visible part of the clitoris is removed.
Female genital mutilation - Type 2: labia are removed.
Female genital mutilation - Type 3: labia are sewn together.
Female genital mutilation is very dangerous for the healthHealthFeeling physically, mentally and socially well in your environment. Health is more than…Read more of women and girls. Some can die due to the amount of blood loss. It can also lead to:
- anxiety, stress, trauma and sometimes even shock;
- infections and diseases;
- pain during menstruation and while urinating;
- a higher riskRiskPossibility that something unpleasant may happen, for example a disease.Read more of STIs and HIV;
- painful and complicated deliveryDeliveryThe process of giving birth to a baby.Read more for both mother and child;
- infertilityInfertilityNot being able to have children.Read more;
- painful intercourse and less sexual desireSexual desireThe feeling that you would like to have sex. Someone can feel sexual…Read more.
Female genital mutilation is illegal in Europe. It is forbidden by lawLawRules which decide what you may and may not do. Every country has…Read more.
If you have undergone female genital mutilation or you fear that this will be done to you, contact a specialised organisation. They will be able to help you.