Photo courtesy of UNICEF Egypt

Female Genital Mutilation, or FGM, is the cutting of a girl’s genitals due to traditional beliefs.

The procedure usually means a young girl is held down, wide awake, while her clitoris and other genitalia are sliced off. She is then stitched up so she can be presented as almost sealed ‘virgin goods’ to her future husband. The pain, bleeding, menstrual problems and difficulties with sex and childbirth this inevitably leads to are never acknowledged.

There are 4 different types of FGM (W.H.O definitions)

• Type 1: Removal of the clitoral hood with or without removal of the clitoris.
• Type 2: Removal of the clitoris with total or partial removal of the labia minora.
• Type 3: Removal of up to two thirds of the external genitalia, followed by stitching or narrowing to leave a very small vaginal opening for the passing of urine and menstrual blood (often termed infibulation).
• Type 4: Includes pricking, piercing, cutting of the vagina and cauterisation by burning of the clitoris and surrounding tissues.

All types of FGM pose a risk to the mental and physical well-being of the women who are subjected to it.

Although it is commonly associated with Africa, FGM in its different forms is prevalent in most of the world, even the UK. Despite popular belief there is no religion that practises or endorses FGM. The practice is a cultural one. It is known to exist in Muslim, Christian and Jewish communities.

In the UK FGM in all its forms is illegal; however there are still 25,000 girls at risk of being subjected to FGM (FORWARD UK). There are stories of communities taking their young girls out of the country to perform FGM on them. This is now also illegal. There are emerging stories of communities bringing in traditional mutilators to the UK in order to ‘purify’ their girls.

• In the horn of Africa countries (Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sudan, Egypt) it is estimated that some 98% of the women have been subjected to FGM. Most of these women have been subjected to Type 3 FGM (FORWARD UK)
• An estimated 100 to 140 million girls and women have undergone some form of FGM (W.H.O)
• 2 million girls are at risk from the practice around the world each year. (W.H.O)

In our fight to end FGM we support projects in both the UK and abroad.

Our work abroad has focused on communities in Africa, especially in East Africa. The past few years this area has seen new legislation to protect women and, just as importantly, shifts in attitudes and behaviours within communities. Our partner helps women speak out against FGM. They ensure that protection is there for them to feel safe and supported in their campaigns against FGM.

In one community of East Africa, FGM has now been completely eradicated with the help and funding of our partner. Women are now pursuing their rights under law and once they see that protection and support is there if they speak out, a movement is started that will not be stopped.

In the UK our partner focuses on community work and working with the police authority to tackle FGM as a criminal offence. As a result there are now designated FGM officers in the Metropolitan Police. Together with the criminal aspect of FGM, they have people working with local communities to inform them about FGM and its consequences. These people are working to change the perceptions surrounding FGM. In many immigrant communities FGM is used as a way to keep in touch with their homeland and culture.

We hope to eliminate this barbaric practice. Our partners and supporters are right there, standing beside many courageous women all over the world. They are enabling women silenced by tradition, culture, intimidation and exhaustion to at last find their voice and use it.