Terminology and scope
Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is an umbrella term for procedures involving injury to or alteration of external female genital tissue for non-medical reasons. “FGM,” “FGM/C” and “female genital cutting” are all used in public-health, community and human-rights discussions. Language choices vary because writers may need to describe the harm clearly while communicating respectfully with affected communities.
The procedures differ in extent. They are commonly carried out on girls, can cause severe pain and may lead to immediate or lasting physical and psychological complications. The consequences can include infection, problems with urination or menstruation, chronic pain, complications during pregnancy and childbirth, and trauma.
Culture, religion and community
FGM/C predates several modern religious traditions and is not required by the central teachings of any one religion. It has occurred among communities with different religious identities, as well as in communities where customary or social expectations are more influential than formal doctrine. It is therefore inaccurate to treat the practice as belonging to all followers of Islam, Christianity, Judaism or any other single faith.
Prevalence can differ considerably between neighboring countries and between communities within the same country. Migration has also made safeguarding and survivor care relevant in North America and Europe. Effective prevention generally combines law, education, healthcare, survivor-led support and sustained local engagement rather than stereotyping an entire religion or nationality.
Human rights and public policy
United Nations bodies regard FGM/C as a violation of the rights of women and girls. A 2012 United Nations General Assembly resolution called on states to prohibit the practice, protect those at risk, and support coordinated prevention. This was a global policy commitment rather than a self-executing worldwide criminal law; national legislation and enforcement remain important.
Legal approaches have changed over time in countries where the practice has occurred. The website pages below preserve dated reports about Egypt, Indonesia, African countries, the United Kingdom, North America and Europe. Readers should treat older descriptions of laws or prevalence as historical snapshots, not current legal guidance.
A related but distinct issue
Older material on this site placed FGM/C beside medically unnecessary genital surgery on intersex infants. These are distinct issues with different contexts. Intersex people are born with sex characteristics that do not fit typical definitions of female or male bodies. Advocates and medical-ethics bodies have challenged irreversible, non-urgent procedures performed before a child can participate in the decision.
For the archived discussion, see intersex-related surgery in North America and Europe and the site's overview of intersex experiences.