Female genital cutting

Female genital cutting (sometimes referred to as female circumcision) refers to the excision or tissue removal of any part of the female genitalia.

Sourced

• "Female Genital Mutilation concerns us all. It is a crime that is being committed in many countries. With my worldwide campaign I want to raise awareness of this cruel practice. I want to contribute all I can to make it possible to finally eradicate FGM worldwide"
  • Waris Dirie Foundation

• "Mama tied a blindfold over my eyes. The next thing I felt my flesh was being cut away. I heard the blade sawing back and forth through my skin. The pain between my legs was so intense I wished I would die."
  • Waris Dirie, UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador and spokesperson on FGM

• A woman used to perform circumcision in Medina. The Prophet said to her: Do not cut severely as that is better for a woman and more desirable for a husband.
  • Abu Dawud 41:5251

• FGC has traditionally been called "female circumcision," which implies that it is similar to male circumcision. The recognition of FGC's harmful physical, psychological and human rights consequences, however, has led to the use of the term "female genital mutilation" or "FGM," which distinguishes this practice from the much milder practice of male circumcision. Many women who have undergone FGC do not consider themselves to be mutilated and have become offended by the term "FGM." Recently, other terms such as "female genital cutting" (FGC) have increasingly been used.
  • US National Women's Health Information Center