☛ Ce dossier est aussi disponible en français [➦].
Translated by Florence Bois-Villeneuve.
Female genital mutilation (FGM)1 is generally defined as the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia for non-medical reasons (WHO, 2022). There are several types and subtypes of FGM that are practiced for various cultural and social reasons (WHO, 2022), on all continents except Antarctica (EqualityNow, 2021).
FGM has no known health benefits; on the contrary, it leads to serious, negative physical and mental health consequences, and sometimes even death (WHO, 2022; O’Neill, S. and Pallitto, 2021). In 2018, Les 3 sex* published an article about the consequences of FGM.
The World Health Organization (WHO, 2022) estimates that around 200 million women2 live with the consequences of having undergone FGM. Moreover, 68 million more girls are at risk of FGM by 2030 (End FGM European Network, n.d.), despite Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 5.3 to eliminate the practice by 2030 (UN, n.d.a). Based solely on the 27 countries with the highest prevalence of FGM, the costs associated with the complications of FGM are estimated at US$1.4 billion per year (WHO, 2022).
FGM is considered a violation of the rights of children, girls and women (right to life, right to health, right to security of person, right to freedom from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; WHO, 2022). In 2012, in order to step up actions aimed at abolishing FGM, February 6th was declared the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (UN, n.d.b).
To mark this day, Les 3 sex* has compiled a list of local events, tools, resources, projects, campaigns, and cultural products to help better understand FGM and the related issues in the Canadian context. The list is provided below.
Furthermore, to better understand the impacts of FGM on the sexual health and sexual rights of those affected, you can read our new article on the subject.
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