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There are more than 100 million women and girls alive today who are affected by female genital mutilation (FGM), also known as female circumcision. FGM is an invasive and painful surgical procedure that is usually performed without anesthetic on adolescent girls and under less than hygienic conditions. This social custom is performed as a means to inhibit or terminate sexual feelings in women so that they will be much less likely to engage in pre-marital intercourse or adultery. FGM has been practiced for several thousand years in almost 30 African and Middle Eastern nations. Because FGM is practiced when girls are young, they are unable to give their informed consent; thus, the international community recognizes FGM as a violation of fundamental human rights.

Stopping the practice of FGM requires profound social change. Many grassroots women's organizations in the very countries that perform FGM are fighting tradition and culture to eradicate it. The long-term solution to the issue of female circumcision is increasing awareness and empowering women, and enlisting the governments to demonstrate their support of women's rights.

To deal with harmful practices and female genital mutilation, it is essential to educate the public. That calls for active involvement of NGOs, local governments, communities, women's groups and political leaders.

Make a Donation
Support the organizations helping to spread awareness and to end FGM.

Donate to one of the charities below, or search for another related charity.

Amnesty International USA
Promoting human rights for all.

Equality Now
Protection & advocacy of girl's & women's rights around the world.

Feminist Majority Foundation
Dedicated to women's equality, reproductive health, & non-violence.

Human Rights Watch
Protecting the human rights of people around the world.

National Organization for Women Foundation
Educating the public about women's rights & issues.

PATH
Improving health, especially the health of women & children.

Planned Parenthood Federation of America
Family planning & reproductive health care.

Population Action International
Population programs grounded in individual rights.

RAINBO
Research Action & Information for Bodily Integrity of Women.

Sisterhood is Global Institute
Improving women's rights at local, national, regional, & global levels.

Tostan
Assisting African populations to become self-sufficient.

Women, Law & Development International
Making human rights work for women.

Women Make Movies
Help Nurse Fardhosa continue her important work in Kenya. Designate your donation to THE FARDHOSA FUND.

Volunteer
Volunteer locally or globally - every bit counts.

Volunteer with one of these organizations, or search for another opportunity.

Female Genital Mutilation Education and Networking Project
Help spread the news about FGM.

Feminist Majority Foundation
Put your feminism to work.

Planned Parenthood Foundation
Empower your community.

National Organization for Women
Volunteer at the NOW Action Center.

Tostan
Volunteer or intern in Senegal.

Speak Out
Inform and educate others about FGM and how it can be stopped.

Amnesty International
Act now for human rights.

Equality Now
Because women around the world need your help.

Feminist Majority
Learn about the issues requiring action.

Human Rights Watch
Become an activist.

International Planned Parenthood
International Advocacy.

National Organization for Women
Take action with NOW.

Planned Parenthood
Visit the Action Center.

Population Action International
Join the PAI Action Network.

Sisterhood is Global Institute
Take action to support women's rights worldwide.

Use the resources below to learn more about FGM and what you can do.

•	Amnesty International Female Genital Mutilation.
•	Center for Reproductive Law and Policy (CRLP) Dedicated to promoting women's equality worldwide by guaranteeing reproductive rights as human rights.
•	Equality Now Campaign Against FGM.
•	FORWARD - Foundation for Women's Health, Research and Development Dedicated to serving the health and human rights needs of African women and girls in the UK and Africa.
•	Global Alliance for Women's Health Advancing women's health at all stages.
•	PATH Female Genital Mutilation.
•	Population Action International Questions & answers on female genital mutilation.
•	RAINBO Integrated initiative against FGM.
•	UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights Fact Sheet No.23, Harmful Traditional Practices Affecting the Health of Women and Children.
•	UNICEF Two million girls a year mutilated.
•	UNIFEM - United Nations Development Fund for Women Working for women's empowerment and gender equality.
•	United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Ending widespread violence against women.
•	World Health Organization Includes fact sheets, information packets and other publications.

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