Understanding and addressing violence against women: female genital mutilation

Overview

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is internationally recognized as a violation of the human rights of girls and women, reflecting deep rooted inequality between the sexes. Since FGM is almost always carried out on minors, it is also a violation of the rights of children. FGM comprises all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs for nonmedical reasons.