Female Gential Cutting (FGC)

Female genital cutting (FGC) is also known as female genital mutilation (FGM), female circumcision, or female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), is any procedure involving the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs. This maybe for  cultural, religious or any other non therapeutic reason. The term FGC is usually used to describe cultural or religious procedures on a girl under the age of 16.

Consent of the parents is required because the girl is minor.The procedure when carried out on an adult with consent is usually described as clitoridectomy or may be part of labiaplasty or vaginoplasty.

It doesn't apply to sex reassignment surgery or the genital modification of intersexuals. FGC is mainly practiced in North East Africa, some areas of East and South East Asia. FGC is illegal in the UK

Forward UK was established in 1983 in response to the emerging problems caused by FGC. Since then Forward has been working to eliminate the practice and support those affected.

http://www.forwarduk.org.uk/about