FGM is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a set of procedures that intentionally alter or cause injury to the female genital organs for nonmedical reasons. It is almost always carried out on children and is recognised as a violation of the human rights of girls and women. It also constitutes an extreme form of discrimination against women and a violation of the rights of children.

It is estimated that 140 million girls and women are living with the consequences of FGM and that a further 3 million girls undergo FGM in Africa each year. It is now recognised that FGM also occurs outside Africa, in some countries in Asia and the Middle East. FGM is increasingly identified in the UK amongst migrants from FGM-practising countries.

Various explanations are given and these vary within countries and communities. However, the single underlying and unifying reason is the control of sexuality in women. Individual communities may cite the following reasons:

• Social pressure.
  
• The necessary preparation of a girl for adulthood and marriage.
  
• A cultural ideal of modesty to remove ‘unclean’ body parts.
  
• The need reduce female libido and ensure chastity.
  
• Religious beliefs (although no religious scripts recommend FGM).
  
• Cementing or maintenance of cultural identity.

FGM is usually performed by traditional circumcisers. However, the WHO estimates that 18% of all FGM is performed by health care providers. This percentage may be increasing.

The WHO has classified FGM into four major types:

1. Clitoridectomy: Partial or total removal of the clitoris, or in rare cases only the prepuce (skin over the clitoris).
   
2. Excision: Partial or total removal of the clitoris and labia minora, with or without removal or the labia majora.
   
3. Infibulation: Narrowing of the vaginal opening through the creation of a covering seal. The seal is formed by cutting and repositioning the labia minora or majora with or without removal of the clitoris.
   
4. Other: All other harmful procedures to the genitals for nonmedical reasons, e.g. pricking, piercing, incision, scraping and cauterising.