Female Genital Mutilation

Definition

Female genital mutilation (FGM) comprises all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.

Female genital mutilation is classified into 4 major types (WHO, 2016)

• Type 1: Often referred to as clitoridectomy, this is the partial or total removal of the clitoris (a small, sensitive and erectile part of the female genitals), and in very rare cases, only the prepuce (the fold of skin surrounding the clitoris).
• Type 2: Often referred to as excision, this is the partial or total removal of the clitoris and the labia minora (the inner folds of the vulva), with or without excision of the labia majora (the outer folds of skin of the vulva).
• Type 3: Often referred to as infibulation, this is the narrowing of the vaginal opening through the creation of a covering seal. The seal is formed by cutting and repositioning the labia minora, or labia majora, sometimes through stitching, with or without removal of the clitoris (clitoridectomy).
• Type 4: This includes all other harmful procedures to the female genitalia for non-medical purposes, eg pricking, piercing, incising, scraping and cauterizing the genital area.

Most cases of FGM seen in New Zealand are type 3, as many of the African refugees in New Zealand come from sub-Saharan Africa where Type 3 FGM is practiced (Denholm, 1998a; 1998b; Denholm & Jama, 1997).