Explore (NY). 2010 Jul-Aug;6(4):220.
Statement on female genital mutilation from the staff of Explore.
Dossey L, Kligler B, Radin D, Sierpina V, Fenton M, Horrigan B, Schwartz SA.
…. An estimated 100 to 140 million girls and women worldwide are currently living with the consequences of female genital mutilation (FGM), according to the World Health Organization. Sometimes called female circumcision, FGM includes procedures that intentionally alter, injure, or partially or totally remove the external female genitalia for nonmedical reasons. These procedures include but are not limited to clitorectomy, partial or total excision of the labia, and infibulation. They are usually carried out on girls between infancy and age 15 years. They confer no health benefits but can cause severe bleeding, infection, death, anxiety, fear, pain, urinary problems, and later, childbirth complications. Although FGM is internationally recognized as a violation of the human rights of girls and women, it persists widely in many African, Middle Eastern, and Asian…
afworo.org 