Female Genital Mutilation

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.

It is also sometimes referred to as female genital cutting or female circumcision. There are no health benefits to FGM and it is recognised internationally as a human rights violation.

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

FGM causes untold physical and emotional trauma, whilst enforcing the inherent gender inequality found in cultures where it is practised. FGM procedures can cause:

Female Genital Mutilation includes procedures that intentionally alter or cause injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.

The procedure has no health benefits for girls and women.

Procedures can cause severe bleeding and problems urinating, and later cysts, infections, infertility as well as complications in childbirth and increased risk of newborn deaths, and psychological damage.

More than 125 million girls and women alive today have been cut across the world.

Female Genital Mutilation is mostly carried out on young girls sometime between infancy and age 15.

Female Genital Mutilation is a violation of the human rights of girls and women.

It is mostly carried out by traditional circumcisers, who often play other central roles in communities, such as attending childbirths. However, more than 18% of all FGM is performed by health care providers, and the trend towards medicalisation is increasing.

Grace’s Story

My family told me it was normal. A rite of passage. When I was eight my parents took me abroad and had me cut, it was the most painful thing in the world. When I was at secondary school Freedom Charity came and gave a talk on Female Genital Mutilation.

With Freedom’s support Grace was able to ensure the safety of her younger sisters so that they did not suffer the same fate. With your help we can end Female Genital Mutilation in our lifetime.

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a violation of human rights

FGM is recognised internationally as a violation of the human rights of girls and women. It reflects deep-rooted inequality between the sexes and constitutes an extreme form of discrimination against women. It is nearly always carried out on minors and is a violation of the rights of children. The practice also violates a person’s rights to health, security and physical integrity, the right to be free from torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, and the right to life when the procedure results in death.

What your donation can provide

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could help us raise awareness in schools and prevent FGM

£30

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£150

could provide a new identity for a victim fleeing abuse

£500

could provide support for a girl fleeing abuse for a month.