FGM is short for Female genital mutilation: the (partial) removal of the external female genitals. It’s an awful cultural tradition that has been handed down from generation to generation, for thousands of years. Most girls 'become victim' before puberty.
The ‘lightest’ procedure is a small cut in the clitoris or snipping off the tip of the clitoris, but that rarely happens. Normally the whole clitoris is removed, together with the inner lips. They may also remove the outer lips, bounding the resulting wounds together by thorn or thread, leaving only a very small opening for passage of urine and menstruation blood.
The circumstances in which the operation is performed differ, but it’s normally done under less than hygienic conditions without anaesthetic. The women who do it are normally unskilled, using rudimentary instrument (glass, a sharp stone, scissors, razor blade, tin can or knife).
The destructive physical and emotional consequences are beyond description. There are normally countless complications. It causes pain, permanent health problems and even death.

Where does it occur and how often?
Why is it done?