FGM Weibliche Genitalverstümmelung
Overcoming female genital mutilation (FGM)
«It [FGM] is a crime that is born from people's ignorance and their fear of dealing with the future. It is easier to hide behind the values of the past than to deal with creating the future.»
Ousmane Sembène, Senegalese director.
About 140 million women and girls throughout the world are affected by FGM. Every year, they are joined by another 3 million: that is 8,000 per day or a new victim every 11 seconds. There are also women and girls living in Switzerland who are threatened or affected by FGM.
Female genital mutilation involves the partial or complete removal or other mutilation of the genital organs of girls and women. This surgical intervention is extremely painful and can cause life-long physical and psychological disorders. Therefore, this practice violates the human rights of women and girls, especially the right to physical and psychological integrity, the right to health, the right to non-discrimination and the right to protection against torture, inhuman and degrading treatment.
- Go to What is FGM?