Female genital mutilation sometimes abbreviated as FGM or referenced by other names refers to all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital for cultural or other non-medical reasons. An estimated million girls and women alive today are believed to have been subjected to some form of female genital mutilation.
An estimated 27 million more girls will undergo the practice by Girls and women who have undergone female genital mutilation live predominately in the African and Asian continents.
See more details on countries with female genital mutilation. UNFPA estimates that 68 million girls face female genital mutilation between and A key challenge is not only protecting girls who are currently at risk, but also ensuring that those born in the future will be free from the dangers of the practice. From through , COVID disrupted programmes to prevent female genital mutilation, with an estimated one third reduction in progress towards ending the practice by Female genital mutilation increases the risks of immediate and long-term psychological, obstetric, genitourinary and sexual and reproductive health complications.
Immediate complications include severe pain, shock, haemorrhage, tetanus or infection, urine retention, ulceration of the genital region and injury to adjacent tissue, wound infection, urinary infection, fever and septicemia. Haemorrhage and infection can be severe enough to cause death. Long-term consequences include complications during childbirth , anaemia, the formation of cysts and abscesses, keloid scar formation, damage to the urethra resulting in urinary incontinence, dyspareunia painful sexual intercourse , sexual dysfunction, hypersensitivity of the genital area and psychological effects ,and the practice may potentially increase the risk of HIV transmission.
Infibulation, or type III female genital mutilation, is the most severe form. A covering seal is made by cutting and appositioning the labia minora or labia majora with or without excision of the clitoral prepuce and glans, leaving a small opening for urine and menstrual blood. This type may result in urinary complications such as urination disorders or frequent urinary infections. In addition, infibulation may result in the accumulation of menstrual flow in the vagina and uterus, leading to chronic pelvic pain and infertility.
