Female genital mutilation (FGM), often referred to as “female circumcision” comprises all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs whether for cultural, religious or other non therapeutic reasons. According to WHO, more than 130 million girls and women worldwide have undergone FGM and nearly 2 million more girls are at risk each year.
FGM is generally performed on girls between ages 4 and 12, although it is practiced in some cultures as early as a few days after birth or as late as just prior to marriage, during pregnancy, or after the first birth. In Ghana however, the practice is highly enforced by women who in most cases have also undergone such a practice. The practitioner may or may not have health training, use anesthesia, or sterilize the circumcision instruments. Instruments used for the procedure include razor blades, glass, kitchen knives, sharp rocks, scissors, and scalpels.

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