FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION 101

Cultural tradition FGM is a social convention (social norm), to conform to what others do and have been doing, as well as the need to be accepted socially and the fear of being rejected by the community

Considered a necessary part of raising a girl, and a way to prepare her for adulthood and marriage

Believed that it helps to reduce a woman‘s libido and helps her to resist extramarital sexual acts

Helps to increase marriageability

Associated with cultural ideals of

femininity and modesty, which include the notion that girls are clean and beautiful after the removal of body parts that are considered unclean, unfeminine or masculine

Religious support