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Female genital mutilation

The surgical removal of the external female genitalia for non-medical reasons. Also, called female genital cutting or female circumcision, FGM is practiced in many countries of Africa, in parts of the Middle East, and within some immigrant communities in Europe, North America, and Australasia. FGM is typically carried out on girls from birth to puberty and is considered by its practitioners to be an essential part of raising a girl properly by cleansing her with the removal of "male" body parts. It ensures pre-marital virginity by inhibiting extra-marital sex due to reduced libido. The WHO has labeled female genital mutilation as a human right violation.