What is

FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION (FGM)?

Are you subjected to or at risk of female genital mutilation (FGM)? Are you experiencing physical and/or psychological distress due to the procedure? Are you seeking information on where to access healthcare services? Are you concerned about someone you know undergoing FGM?

Female genital mutilation, also known as female genital cutting or female circumcision, is a traditional practice associated with local norms and values. There are different types of FGM, with the most common involving the removal of part or all of the clitoris and inner labia. In some cases, the inner or outer labia are stitched together, leaving a small opening for urine and menstrual blood.

FGM is typically performed on girls between the ages of 5 and 14, but infants and older girls can also be subjected to it.

FGM has been practiced for thousands of years within certain cultural groups, while other communities have adopted the tradition more recently. It is important to note that FGM is not mentioned in the Torah, Bible, or Quran. The practice is prevalent in certain African ethnic groups but also occurs to some extent in Asian and Middle Eastern countries.

All forms of female genital mutilation (FGM) are prohibited and considered criminal offenses in Norway. It is equally illegal to remove a small amount as it is to remove a significant portion. Subjecting girls to FGM is punishable by law, both within Norway and abroad, after arrival in Norway.

It is not punishable to be female genital mutilation (FGM) affected, and there is no shame in being a survivor of FGM. However, girls and women who have undergone FGM may require care, support, information, and possibly counseling and/or medical treatment. This applies regardless of whether the procedure occurred recently or many years ago.

Why are girls subjected to female genital mutilation (FGM)?

Those who practice FGM provide various explanations for why they perceive this tradition as necessary. Some of the most common reasons are:

• Controlling girls' sexuality and morality.

• Belief that it is a religious obligation.

• It serves as a rite of passage to mark the transition from childhood to adulthood.

• It is seen as necessary for a girl to be eligible for marriage.

Among groups that practice FGM, there can be strong social pressure and expectations for everyone to subject their daughters to the procedure. Families who choose not to do so may face bullying and exclusion. Some may pretend that their daughters have undergone the procedure to escape social pressure.

Types of FGM

There are many forms of female genital mutilation, and there can be overlapping distinctions between the various types. The procedures vary widely, but they can be broadly categorized into four types as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Type 1

Clitoridectomy: Partial or total removal of the clitoris.

Type 2

Excision: Partial or total removal of the clitoral glans and inner labia.

Type 3

Infibulation: Narrowing of the vaginal opening by removing parts of the labia and stitching or sewing them together, creating a seal of skin that closes the vaginal opening. Often, parts of the clitoris are also removed.

Type 4

Other harmful procedures to women's genitalia for non-medical reasons, such as pricking, piercing, incising, scraping, or burning.

Health Consequences

The type and severity of complications that can occur during and after female genital mutilation depend on several factors, including the extent of the procedure, the age of the girl, and the physical and hygienic conditions surrounding the procedure and the healing period. Many girls experience acute complications, and there is also a risk of long-term complications. The extent of the damage will vary. 

Acute Complications

Acute complications affect more than one in ten girls, and most of them experience multiple complications simultaneously. These may include:

• Pain

• Severe bleeding

• Swelling

• Infections

• Problems with wound healing

Long-Term Complications

A significant proportion of women who have undergone extensive types of female genital mutilation develop chronic health issues. These may include:

• Urinary tract infections

• Cysts

• Urinary problems

• Menstrual problems

• Sexual problems

• Complications during childbirth

• Psychological consequences 

Support Services and Surgery

Girls and women who have been subjected to female genital mutilation may require psychological counseling, support, and follow-up, as well as surgical interventions. The type of support and guidance desired can vary greatly from person to person. You have the autonomy to decide what you want to disclose and what assistance you seek. Female genital mutilation is primarily a health issue and should therefore be followed up by the healthcare system. Below is a list of resources you can turn to. If you are not ready to discuss this with the healthcare system, you can call the Red Cross helpline anonymously and free of charge.

• Child health clinics and school health services

• General practitioner

• Women's clinics

• Pediatric departments at hospitals (for procedures performed on children under 15 years old)

• Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Outpatient Clinic (BUP)

• District Psychiatric Center (DPS)

• Midwife

• Hospitals

• Family counseling centers

• Sexologists offer therapy for cases related to sexuality issues

• The Competence Team against Negative Social Control, Forced Marriage, and Female Genital Mutilation