Of Female Genital Mutilation

Ashenafi Zedebub

Many researches show millions have undergone the so called “Female Genital Mutilation” around the globe. By the way, what is “Female Genital Mutilation”? The word “mutilation” by itself had its own controversy prior to its familiarization with the public.

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is – by definition – the cutting or partial or total removal of the external female genitalia either for cultural or religious or other non-medical reasons. Such mutilation is said to be usually performed on girls between the ages of 4 and 10. There are also people still using its “original identification”- i.e. “female circumcision.” However, here I prefer to stick to the internationally accepted word “mutilation” or rather “FGM” in short as to join the majority.