Female circumcision: history, medical and psychological complications, and initiatives to eradicate this practice.
Female circumcision - a procedure where the parts of the female genitals are removed, which is also known as female genital cutting (FGC) or female genital mutilation (FGM) - continues to be practiced in more than 28 African countries. It is estimated that 80-100 million women have been circumcised. We performed a review of the literature to examine the history of female circumcision, its medical and psychological consequences, and government and non-government educational initiatives that are currently being taken to eradicate this practice.
Shah
Gaurang
G
Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
Susan
Luay
L
Furcroy
Jean
J
D000349:Africa; D019093:Circumcision, Female / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000266:history / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003469:Culture; D005260:Female; D049690:History, Ancient; D006801:Humans