Often used synonymously with the terms female genital cutting or female genital mutilation, female circumcision refers to the removal of any part of the female external genitalia for a nonmedical purpose. The United Nations and the World Health Organization prefer the term genital mutilation to emphasize the often negative health and sexual consequences for women who have undergone the procedure, as well as to draw a clear distinction between removal of female genitalia from removal of the male foreskin, a procedure which carries fewer negative health consequences. [Source: Encyclopedia of Global Health; Female Circumcision]
female circumcision
concepts
women's health
cultural studies