female circumcision

The term "female circumcision" is often used to refer to female genital mutilation (FGM), a harmful practice involving the removal or injury of external female genitalia for non-medical reasons.

Definition

C1Medical

(technical, proscribed)The removal of the clitoral hood, comparable to the foreskin removal in male circumcision.

Example

  • Historically, some cultures practiced the removal of the clitoral hood, a procedure known as female circumcision.

C1Sociocultural

(historical, proscribed)An outdated term historically used to describe female genital mutilation, which involves the partial or total removal of external female genitalia for non-medical reasons.

Example

  • The term female circumcision is now widely considered misleading and inaccurate.

B2Human Rights

(informal, modern)A harmful practice involving the partial or total removal of external female genitalia, also known as female genital mutilation (FGM).

Example

  • Female circumcision, or FGM, is recognized as a violation of human rights.

Similar

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "female circumcision":

female genital mutilation