•  It is considered an extreme form of discrimination against women, and constitutes as both physical and psychological abuse.

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• The United Nations declared FGM/C a violation of human rights in 2016 in part because it has no identified medical nor religious  benefit. 

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• It is a violation of children's rights. ​​​

  • Usually carried out on minors (typically 4-12 years old, but sometimes on infants and older girls)

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• It violates the rights to health, security and physical integrity of the person, the right to be free from torture and cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment, and the right to life when the procedure results in death.

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• The practice causes a host of physical and psychological effects including infertility, low sex drive, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, bladder/urinary infections, difficulty  birthing and ongoing medical needs.