Female genital mutilation (FGM), also known as female genital cutting or female circumcision, refers to all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to female genital organs for non-medical reasons. Recognized internationally as a violation of human rights, this practice continues to affect millions of girls and women globally, including communities in India.
What Is Female Genital Mutilation
FGM encompasses a range of procedures classified into four main types by the World Health Organization. Type I involves partial or total removal of the clitoris. Type II includes removal of the clitoris and labia minora. Type III, the most severe form known as infibulation, involves narrowing the vaginal opening. Type IV includes all other harmful procedures such as pricking, piercing, or cauterizing the genital area.
The practice is typically performed on girls between infancy and age 15, most commonly before puberty. In most cases, it is carried out by traditional practitioners using basic instruments without anesthesia, though some communities have shifted to medicalized settings, which does not make the practice any safer or more acceptable.
Health Consequences
The immediate health risks of FGM are significant and can be life-threatening. Girls may experience severe pain, excessive bleeding, infections, shock, and difficulty urinating. In some cases, the procedure results in death from hemorrhage or infection.
Long-term health consequences persist throughout a woman's life and include:
- Chronic pain and infections
- Keloid scar formation
- Cysts and abscesses
- Urinary problems including painful urination and urinary tract infections
- Menstrual complications
- Sexual dysfunction and pain during intercourse
- Increased risk of childbirth complications, including higher infant mortality
- Psychological trauma, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder
Why the Practice Continues
Despite overwhelming evidence of harm, FGM persists due to complex social, cultural, and sometimes religious factors. Communities that practice FGM often view it as a necessary rite of passage, a prerequisite for marriage, a method of preserving virginity, or a way to control female sexuality.
Social pressure plays a crucial role in perpetuating the practice. Families fear that uncut girls will face social exclusion, be considered unsuitable for marriage, or bring shame to their families. In many communities, FGM has become so normalized that mothers who have undergone the procedure feel obligated to have their daughters cut as well.
Misconceptions about religion also contribute to its continuation, though no religious texts prescribe FGM. The practice predates both Christianity and Islam and is found among various religious groups, including some Muslim, Christian, and Jewish communities, though it is not required by any of these faiths.
The Situation in India
In India, FGM is primarily practiced by the Dawoodi Bohra community, a Shia Muslim sect concentrated in Mumbai, Gujarat, and other urban centers. The practice, known locally as khatna or khafz, typically involves Type I FGM and is performed on girls around age seven.
Survivors and activists from the community have been campaigning for legal prohibition and social change. The practice remains a contentious issue, with some community leaders defending it as a religious obligation while others, including many within the community, oppose it as harmful and unnecessary.
Currently, India does not have a specific law banning FGM, though the practice could potentially be prosecuted under existing laws related to child protection and assault. Activists continue to advocate for explicit legislation.
Global Efforts and the Path Forward
International organizations estimate that more than 200 million girls and women alive today have undergone FGM in 30 countries. February 6 is observed as International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, highlighting global commitment to ending the practice.
Effective approaches to eliminating FGM include:
- Education programs targeting communities, religious leaders, and healthcare providers
- Legal frameworks that prohibit the practice while supporting affected communities
- Empowering girls and women through education and economic opportunities
- Providing support services for survivors
- Engaging men and boys as allies in abandoning the practice
Change is possible when communities themselves decide to abandon FGM. Successful interventions focus on dialogue, education, and creating safe spaces for discussion rather than imposing external judgments. Healthcare providers, educators, and community members all have roles to play in protecting girls from this harmful practice.
This article is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical or legal advice. If you or someone you know has been affected by FGM, please consult qualified healthcare providers and support services.
