This document provides information about a programme to raise awareness of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). It discusses some common misconceptions around FGM/C, including that it is required by religion, helps women's health or increases fertility. However, FGM/C can actually cause physical and psychological problems, including bleeding, pain, infections and sexual issues. The document also notes that Spanish law punishes FGM/C with imprisonment and that traditions should not harm people.

1. PROGRAMME TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT
FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION/CUTTING
Rectification of misconceptions
 Physical problems: Bleeding, pain, infections,
damage to the vagina, infertility, problems during
childbirth, death…
 Psychosocial problems: fear, post-traumatic
stress…
 Sexual problems: anorgasmia, lack of sexual de-
sire, pain during intercourse…
 Men may experience relationship problems, de-
pression, alcoholism, sexually transmitted infection,
difficulty having satisfactory intercourse.
Twitter: @DemusaOrg
Email: gisdmu@demusa.org
Web: www.demusa.org
What does the law say about genital
mutilation?
The Spanish Criminal Code pun-
ishes FGM with a 6 to 12 year pris-
on sentence for grievous bodily
harm, even if the minor consents
to it being performed.
Organic law 11/2003.Art. 149.2
What are the health-related conse-
quences of genital mutilation?
freepick.com

2. It is believed that genital
mutilation...
But actually genital mutilation...
“It’s my custom, it’s my tradition”
Traditions that harm the people we love we must be stopped for their
good and we should only keep up traditions that benefit humankind and
the community.
“It’s a rite of passage into adulthood” There are alternative rites to convey cultural teachings without harming
young girls
“Our religion says we must do it” No religious scripts refer to this practice.There are many Islamic countries
where it is not performed.
“Cutting is good for women’s and gi-
rls’ health”
Far from being good for their health, cutting can serious harm their health:
bleeding, fear, problems giving birth, even death…
“It helps women have more children” FGM causes problems dilating during childbirth, increases complications in
pregnancy and can cause infertility.
“Cutting increases the woman's
pleasure”
The clitoris is an essential part of a woman’s sexuality, so removing it de-
creases the pleasure she will feel.
“It protects women’s virginity and vir-
tue”
Virginity does not depend on cutting, but rather on educating girls and bo-
ys in egalitarian values that promote it.
“The genitalia are cleaner if they are
cut”
Cutting leaves the female genital organs unprotected and can lead to se-
rious infections in both women and men.
“The genitalia are ugly and bulky” The clitoris and external genitalia do not carry on growing indefinitely and
will therefore not be bulky. What is more, there is nothing bad or ugly
about them.
“The clitoris grows until it becomes a
penis and covers the vagina”
The clitoris does not grow to the size of a penis and does not prevent se-
xual intercourse.