WHAT IS FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION?

#ZeroTolerance

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

includes procedures that intentionally
alter or cause injury to the female genital
organs for non-medical reasons.

FGM has no health or medical benefits.

Procedures can cause severe bleeding and
problems urinating, and later cysts,
infections, infertility as well as
complications in childbirth increased risk of
newborn deaths.

FGM is recognized internationally

as a violation of the human rights of
girls and women. It reflects deep-
rooted inequality between the sexes,
and constitutes an extreme form of
discrimination against women.

My body, My right! 
 WHAT LAWS GOVERN FGM IN INDIA? #ZeroTolerance

The CEDAW governs FGM through its prohibition on

discrimination against women.

Section 320(8) of the IPC explains that any hurt which

endangers life or causes the sufferer to be in severe pain or
CEDAW: Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women

is unable to follow his ordinary pursuits amounts to

grievous hurt and is punishable under the law.

Where FGM amounts to the death of the girl or the woman

subjected to the procedure, such death may be prosecuted
as culpable homicide under Section 299, IPC. It may also
be punished as murder under the ambit of Section 300 of
the IPC, depending on the proof of intent.

In Javed vs State of Haryana (2003) and in Khurshed

Ahmed Khan vs State of UP (2015), the court ruled that the
law protected religious faith but not a practice that may run
counter to public order, health or morality”. It was also
observed “that a practice did not acquire sanction of
religion simply because it was permitted”.

My body, My right! 
HOW DOES FGM OCCUR? #ZeroTolerance

partial or total
Clitoridectomy removal of the
clitoris

partial or total
removal of clitoris
Excision and labia minora,
and/ or labia majora

narrowing of the
vaginal opening
Infibulation
through the creation
of a covering seal

other harmful
procedures for non-
Other forms medical purposes
(pricking, piercing,
incising)

My body, My right! 
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO TO ADDRESS FGM?
Gather all the evidence you can muster about the occurrence of FGM. It can be
traumatic to recount narratives of its occurrence, so be empathetic and be
mindful of the religious connotations attributed to the practice.

Educate yourself and your friends and family about FGM. Its occurrence is
seen to take place across the world, and it is important to understand that the
practice serves no medical purpose.

Empathise with women in the cultural backgrounds where FGM occurs. Do not
judge them or hurt their religious sentiments, but explain to them that what is
being done to their bodies is wrong.

Help educate as many people as you can about the importance of gender
equality, and how the girl child is to be valued, and that there should be no
practice that assaults a girl’s / woman’s body.

Speak out against FGM. Take up advocacy campaigns and petition for the sake
of legal intervention to stop the practice.

#ZeroTolerance

My body, My right!