Female Genital Mutilation

Female genital mutilation is the partial or total excision of the external female genitalia for nontherapeutic reasons. Type 1 involves excision of the prepuce with or without excision of part or all of the clitoris. Type 2 is excision of the prepuce and clitoris as well as partial or total excision of the labia minora. Type 3 is excision of part or all of the external genitalia and narrowing of the vaginal opening through a process called infibulation. Type 4 includes many procedures such as pricking, piercing, or incision of the clitoris and/or labia; stretching of the clitoris and/or labia; cauterization of the clitoris; scraping of the vaginal orifice or cutting of the vagina; or introduction of corrosive substances into the vagina. Most of these procedures are irreversible and have lifelong adverse effects. Types 1 and 2 account for up to 80% of the procedures, but type 3 is the most common form in some areas. An estimated 100-132 million women have been mutilated in this fashion, and 2 million girls are at risk each year.