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'''Female genital mutilation''', frequently called by its initialism ([[FGM]]), is defined as the partial or total removal of external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.<refname="who2020">{{REFweb
|url=https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/female-genital-mutilation
|title=Female genital mutilation
|accessdate=2021-12-27
}}</ref> Female genital mutilation violates the same [[human rights]] as does male genital mutilation ([[MGM]]).
The World Health Organization describes four types of FGM:
<blockquote>
Type 1: this is the partial or total removal of the clitoral glans (the external and visible part of the [[clitoris]], which is a sensitive part of the female genitals), and/or the prepuce/ clitoral hood (the fold of skin surrounding the clitoral glans).<br>
Type 2: this is the partial or total removal of the clitoral glans and the [[labia minora]] (the inner folds of the vulva), with or without removal of the [[labia majora]] (the outer folds of skin of the vulva ).<br>
Type 3: Also known as [[infibulation]], this is the narrowing of the vaginal opening through the creation of a covering seal. The seal is formed by cutting and repositioning the labia minora, or labia majora, sometimes through stitching, with or without removal of the clitoral prepuce/clitoral hood and glans (Type I FGM).<br>
Type 4: This includes all other harmful procedures to the female genitalia for non-medical purposes, e.g. pricking, piercing, incising, scraping and cauterizing the genital area.<ref name="who2020" />
</blockquote>
{{SEEALSO}}