Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a criminal act that harms or alters the female genitalia without any medical justification. Girls suffer long-term consequences, including death in some cases, complications during childbirth, and lasting physical and psychological trauma.
Even in the 21st century, over 200 million girls have undergone FGM across more than 30 countries, according to UNICEF.
The procedure is often carried out in the cruelest ways—removing the clitoris or part of it, or the inner labia, and sometimes stitching parts of the genitalia. This is done under false pretenses of religion, tradition, hygiene, or social custom—all of which are baseless.
No one has the right to interfere with or control women’s bodies. Why should girls’ genitalia be altered without any medical reason?
#StopFemaleGenitalMutilation