Female genital cutting

Female genital cutting (FGC) refers to a number of procedures performed for cultural, rather than medical, reasons on the female genitalia. Although occasionally practiced by some doctors in the United States until 1958, in recent years it is only common in parts of Africa and by minority groups in some countries of the Middle East. Less frequently, it occurs among some immigrant communities in parts of Asia and the Pacific, North and Latin America, and Europe. Opponents of these practices use the term female genital mutilation (FGM). The term female circumcision is also in common usage.

Related Topics:
Cultural - Medical - Genitalia - United States - Africa - Middle East - Asia - Pacific - North - Latin America - Europe

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Most Human rights organizations in the West, Africa, and Asia consider female genital cutting rituals a violation of women's human rights. Among these groups and governments, they are regarded as unacceptable and illegal forms of body modification and mutilation of those believed to be too young or otherwise unable to give informed consent.

Related Topics:
Human rights - The West - Africa - Body modification - Mutilation - Informed consent

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