Female genital mutilation (FGM)
What FGM is, why it has no health benefits, and the harm it causes.
✓ Clinically reviewed · Catherine, RN & Juah, RN
When should I get help?
- If a girl is at risk of FGM, reach out to a trusted adult, health worker or support service.
- Women who have had FGM can ask a health worker for care, especially during pregnancy.
Key things to remember
- FGM has no health benefits.
- It can cause lifelong harm, including in childbirth.
- It is a violation of girls' and women's rights.
📖 Read the full lesson
Female genital mutilation (FGM) means cutting or injuring a girl's or woman's genitals for non-medical reasons. It is mostly done to girls between infancy and adolescence.
FGM has no health benefits. It can cause severe pain, heavy bleeding, infection, problems passing urine, shock and even death.
Long-term, it can cause infections, painful periods and sex, scarring, mental distress, and serious problems during childbirth for both mother and baby.
FGM is recognised internationally as a violation of the human rights of girls and women. WHO strongly urges health workers never to perform it — having it done by a health worker does not make it safe. Women who have had FGM can get care for its effects.
📚 Sources
- World Health Organization — Female genital mutilation (fact sheet) 31 Jan 2025 · accessed 1 Nov 2026
Written in plain language from these sources. It does not imply endorsement by these organizations.
HH-ART-028 · Version 1.0 · Last updated 4 Nov 2026
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