What is female genital cutting?

Genital Mutilation: Some ancient traditions are hard to stop. Female genital cutting is a barbaric, awful and potentially life threatening act used to control women. It involves removing the clitoris and some or all of the vulva without local anesthesia. It should never be done.

FGM: Female genital mutilation effects 140 million females across the world. Done w or w/out anesthesia it may involve removal of clitoral hood, clitoris, inner labia & / or out labia with objects such as a razor, scissors, broken glass or knives. It can lead to severe chronic pain, problems with childbirth, hemorrhage, infections & death. Infibulation is when the female's genitalia are sewn closed.