What is Female genital cutting?
Female Genital Cutting (FGC)
Female genital cutting is a cultural practice in some communities around the world. In general, it takes place when the vulva, or outer parts of the female reproductive system, have been altered or removed for non-medical reasons (reasons that are not necessary to keep you healthy).
What does FGC actually mean for me and for my body?
The definition at the top of this page is very broad. The type of FGC you may have—and even the way it was performed—can vary based on where you have lived and your cultural background. To start to learn more, you can explore three main topics. Click on any of the buttons below to get started.
Why Define FGC?
If the definition of FGC is so broad, and there are multiple different types, why does it matter that we have one shared definition? Who decided on this definition? How did they come up with it?
There are two main reasons why it's helpful to have a common definition for FGC:
When we understand the biology of what happens to our bodies, it's easier to get the physical and mental health care we need.
Having a shared definition can make it easier to achieve our community goals
The most widely used definition for FGC is presented by the World Health Organization. It is similar to the definition we gave at the top of the page. It says, "Female genital mutilation (FGM) comprises 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."