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What is Female Genital Cutting (FGC)?

Female genital cutting (FGC), sometimes called female circumcision or female genital mutilation, means cutting, removing, or sewing closed all or part of a girl’s or woman’s external genitals for no medical reason. FGC is sometimes incorrectly identified as a religious practice - it is not. However, it is often a part of the culture in countries where it is practiced. FGC has no health benefits and can cause long-term health problems. FGC is against the law in Michigan.  

 

Teacher sitting cross-legged on a classroom floor reading a book to a diverse group of elementary students

  • Why is FCG done?

    Different communities and cultures have different reasons for practicing FGC. Social acceptability is the most common reason. Families often feel pressure to have their daughter cut so she is accepted by their community. Other reasons may include: 

    • The desire to ensure a woman remains a virgin until marriage. Parents believe FGC is in the child's best interest and therefore is an expression of love.
    • Rite of passage. In some countries, FGC is a part of the ritual that a girl goes through to be considered a woman
    • Belief that FGC increases sexual pleasure for the man. 
    • Hygiene. Some communities believe that the external female genitals that are cut (the clitoris or the labia or both) are unclean.
    • Condition of marriage. In some countries, a girl or woman is cut in order to be considered suitable for marriage.
    • Religious duty, although no religion’s holy texts require FGC. 

  • Who is at risk?

    • Worldwide more than 3 million girls are estimated to be at risk for FGC annually. Procedures are mostly carried out on young girls sometime between infancy and adolescence, and occasionally on adult women.
    • More than 200 million girls and women alive today have been cut in 30 countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia where FGC is concentrated.
    • The practice is most common in the western, eastern, and north-eastern regions of Africa, in some countries in the Middle East and Asia, as well as among migrants from these areas.
    • Some immigrant families in the U.S. from these countries also practice FGC or may send their daughters back to their family homeland for FGC. Other immigrant families stop practicing FGC once they are in the United States.     

  • Why do many countries oppose FGC?

    The World Health Organization (WHO) considers FGC a human rights violation because:

    • It violates the rights to health and bodily integrity.
    • Is a form of violence and torture against women.
    • Violates the rights of children who undergo the practice without consent.

    Because of this many countries have made laws banning the practice of FGC.

  • Beliefs vs. Facts about FGC

    Belief: Fact:
    Only girls who get FGC can pass into womanhood and be considered respectable. Cultural norms are changing. Other rites of passage into womanhood, that do not use FGC, are increasingly accepted.
    If the clitoris is not cut, it will continue to grow. The clitoris stops growing after puberty and stays small.
    If the clitoris is not cut, it will harm her husband during intercourse.

    The clitoris does not cause any harm to her or her husband during intercourse.
    If the clitoris is not cut, it will harm the baby during delivery. The clitoris won't harm the fetus, the baby or the mother. FGC can cause serious complications during childbirth.
    If a woman does not have FGC, she will not be able to have children. FGC has nothing to do with a woman's ability to have children. FGC may make it harder for a woman to have a baby because of infections.
    If a woman does not undergo FGC, her genitals will smell. FGC will not make the vagina cleaner.
    FGC is a religious duty. FGC is not supported in any major religious texts and many religious leaders believe that this tradition should stop.
    An uncut woman will sleep around and have an uncontrollable sexual desire. FGC has no effect on a woman's sexual desire. Sexual desire is mostly affected by hormones secreted by glands in the brain. However, FGC can stop her from ever enjoying sex.
    Men do not want to stop FGC. In most countries where data exists, most boys and men think FGC should be stopped.
    If FGC is performed by a health care professional, there is no risk of harm. FGC is a harmful practice and may lead to physical, mental and sexual health problems no matter who does it.

  • Students may demonstrate the following behaviors in the classroom

    • Trouble focusing or concentration.
    • Sensitive to noise or being touched.
    • Withdrawn or angry in class.
    • Absenteeism or unexplained medical problems.
    • Fear of being separated from family.

  • Possible indicators of FGC

    Factors that might indicate risk for FGC include:

    • A girl's or woman's community or country of origin.
    • A girl's mother, sibling or other relatives have undergone FGC.
    • A girl’s father comes from a community known to practice FGC.
    • A family believes FGC is important to cultural or religious identity.
    • Elders hold strong influence in child rearing practices.
    • A girl tells a professional that she is to have a ‘special procedure’ or to attend a special occasion to ‘become a woman.’
    • A girl talks about a long holiday to a country where the practice is prevalent.
    • A parent or family member expresses concern that FGC may carried our on the girl.
    • A girl requests help from a teacher or other adult because she is aware that she is at immediate risk of FGC.
    • A girl talks about FGC to others, for example, a girl may tell other children about it – it is important to consider the context of the discussion.

    Indications that a girl or woman has been subjected to FGC include:

    • Have difficulty walking, standing or sitting.
    • Spend longer in the bathroom or toilet.
    • Appear withdrawn, anxious or depressed.
    • Have unusual behavior after an absence from school or college.
    • Ask for help but may not be explicit about the problem.
    • A girl or woman or family member tells a professional that FGC has taken place.
    • A girl or woman has frequent urinary, menstrual or stomach problems.
    • A girl avoids physical exercise or asks to be excused from physical education.
    • There are prolonged or repeated absences from school or college.
    • A girl talks about pain or discomfort between her legs.

  • Health risks

    Physical harm may include:

    • Severe pain. 
    • Difficulty urinating or painful menstrual periods.
    • Serious bleeding.
    • Problems during or after childbirth.
    • Infections and diseases.
    • Death as a result from some of these problems.

    Emotional harm may include:

    • Anger at the person performing or allowing the procedure.                     
    • Depression, fear and feelings of helplessness.
    • Trauma, including nightmares and flashbacks.                                                       
    • Sexual fears, decreased sexual pleasure.

    There may be harms that are not listed above. These health risks can be short-term, long-term or both.

  • How you can help

    Students may seek support from a teacher or other educational professional; schools are ideally situated to raise awareness of the practice and to safeguard and support girls.

    • Create an ‘open environment’ where students can discuss FGC openly; support and counselling are provided routinely.
    • Create a culturally sensitive, age appropriate, safe space avoiding stigmatization
    • Do not ask intrusive or insensitive questions (e.g. explicit details of what has happened). It is not a staff members responsibility to investigate.
    • Do not make promises of confidentiality you cannot keep.
    • Provide accurate and clear information to students.
    • Learn strategies for working with at risk and affected individuals and communities.                                                                                         
    • Understand your obligations under the law.
    • Language may include:
      • “Your body will have some changes during puberty (explain); otherwise, it needs to stay the same as when you were born. No one else can change it for you.”
      • “Sometimes there is a medical need for an operation. If someone talks to you about going away for a celebration, you can ask for help.”
    • Refer to local or national support organizations. 

  • FGC is Against the Law in Michigan

    FGC is in the Michigan Public Health Code 333.9159, effective October 9, 2017. The laws:

    • Prohibit FGC/M on minors;
    • Allow exceptions for necessary medical procedures;
    • Apply to parents/guardians who facilitate as well as the individual who performs the procedure;
    • Prohibit travel outside the state for the purpose of FGC/M;
    • Exclude cultural/ritual reasons and/or consent as a defense;
    • Provide a civil cause of action by the victim for physical and emotional damages until the victim reaches age 28;
    • Provide for a felony sentence of up to 15 years imprisonment; and
    • Provide a basis for termination of parental rights. 

    Depending on the facts and evidence in each specific case, FGC may amount to parental child abuse or neglect under the Child Protection Law.

    For more information, review:

    • 1931 PA 328 (Michigan Penal Code), MCL 750.136 & MCL 750.136a
    • 2017 PA 76, MCL 600.5851
    • 2017 PA 78, MCL 600.2978
    • 2017 PA 77, MCL 333.9159
    • 2017 PA 193, MCL 712A.19b
    • Child Protection Laws, MCL 722.621

  • Resources for more information

    Organizations

    Videos

    Professional references for FGC

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