According to womenshealth.gov two million girls and women are victims of FGM/C every year. Today a total of 130 million have undergone such a procedure. How is culture related to the prevalence of female genital mutilation, cutting and fistula?
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a cultural practice that started in Africa approximately 2000 years ago. It is primarily a cultural practice, not a religious practice. But some religions do include FGM as part of their practices. This practice is so well ingrained into these cultures, it defines members of these cultures. In order to eliminate the practice one must eliminate the cultural belief that a girl will not become a women without this procedure.
