Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is one of the most severe forms of gender based violence. Over 230 million women and girls worldwide have undergone FGM/C. That’s 12% of women of reproductive age globally. It has been documented in over 94 countries around the world, including the UK. There are four different types and everyone’s experience is different.
We’re here to answer some frequently asked questions around FGM/C, whether you’d like to learn more, support a friend, or find out more about your own experience.
What even is FGM/C? What actually happens?
The definition of FGM/C provided by the World Health Organization is “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.” But what does that actually mean?
FGM/C is when someone harms a girl’s genitalia with no benefit to their health or wellbeing.
FGM/C is broken down into four types:
Type 1: Partial or total removal of the clitoris, a small, sensitive part of the body. This removes the part of our vulva that is important for feeling, pleasure and normal function.
Type 2: Removal of the clitoris plus removal of the inner folds of skin, or labia, found around the vaginal opening.
Type 3: Narrowing the vaginal opening, sometimes with removal of the clitoris. The inner and/or outer lips are cut and stitched together, leaving only a small opening for urine and menstrual blood.
Type 4: All other harmful procedures done to the genitals without medical benefit, including pricking, piercing, cutting, scraping, or burning.
All four types are harmful and can cause both short and long-term impacts on sexual health, reproductive rights, and mental health. Everyone’s experience, regardless of type, deserves recognition, and should never be minimised or ranked based on perceived severity.
Short-term impacts of FGM/C can include severe pain, shock, haemorrhage, infection, and in some cases death.
Long-term impacts include psychological trauma, complications during childbirth, keloid scar formation, pain during sex, period complications, and ongoing urinary infections.
How do I know if FGM/C has happened to me?
Depending on the type of FGM/C, the age at which it happened, and your own experience, you may already know that it has happened to you, or you may suspect it. If you’re unsure, we’d encourage you to speak to a trusted professional so you can access the support and care you deserve.
Does FGM/C happen in the UK?
Yes. FGM/C happens everywhere in the world, including the UK. There are over 137,000 women and girls living in the UK who have undergone FGM/C, the majority of whom were cut before moving here. But that data is outdated, and the reality is that many more women in the UK are living with the consequences of FGM/C.
Most of the time, girls are taken abroad for this to happen, but some are cut within the UK. Wherever it takes place, girls in the UK should be protected by UK systems and have access to the healthcare and support they need.
Is FGM/C religious or cultural?
Even though some people perceive FGM/C to be a religious requirement, it is not. We are campaigning to change the narrative that FGM/C is a cultural or religious practice. Violence cannot be part of heritage. Instead, we believe it is rooted in patriarchal norms designed to control female sexuality.
Why does FGM/C happen?
FGM/C can happen for different reasons, but ultimately it is used to control women’s sexuality.
We often talk about FGM/C as being connected to belonging, becoming, or being:
- Belonging: FGM/C can denote belonging to a community or family
- Becoming: it is sometimes seen as a rite of passage, marking a transition into womanhood
- Being: FGM/C can be seen as a sign of being holy, pure, or chaste
How do you have sex if FGM/C has happened to you?
Not all women have the same experience. For some, sex can be painful or physically challenging, depending on the type of FGM/C that has taken place. Some women need medical procedures to facilitate safe intercourse. Emotional trauma can also accompany these physical effects.
FGM/C does not only cause immediate harm. It often entails a lifetime of consequences.
How do you have your period if you’ve had FGM/C?
Most women still have periods. But if you’ve had type 3 FGM/C, this can lead to severe difficulties. In some cases, blood flow may be blocked, either preventing menstruation or causing extremely painful periods. These complications can sometimes lead to infertility. Some women are unable to conceive due to the physical damage caused by FGM/C, and often need specialist gynaecological care throughout their lives.
A message from us
Whether you’re reading this as a survivor, someone curious to learn more, or someone wanting to support a friend, this content can be heavy and triggering. Please take time to do something for yourself, whether that’s journalling, going for a walk, or making a coffee. Just by reading and engaging with this piece, you’re helping to raise awareness around FGM/C.
To learn more about the global movement to end FGM/C, visit Orchid Project, a UK-based NGO working to accelerate an end to female genital mutilation/cutting worldwide.
Thank you for being part of the movement,
Natalie and Hoda
