Legal Definitions - excision

Excision, in a legal context, particularly when referring to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), describes the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. This practice is widely condemned internationally and is illegal in many countries due to its severe health consequences and violation of human rights.

• Example 1: A self-proclaimed traditional healer in a rural community performs a ritual on several young girls, involving the cutting and removal of parts of their clitoris and labia, believing it to be a necessary rite of passage. The local authorities, upon discovering this, arrest the individual for committing acts of female genital mutilation.

  Explanation: This scenario directly illustrates excision as the non-medical removal of external female genitalia, which constitutes a criminal act of FGM.

• Example 2: A family living in a country where FGM is illegal plans a trip to their country of origin, specifically arranging for their adolescent daughter to undergo an excisional procedure there, believing it will ensure her marriageability within their cultural traditions. An alert school counselor reports their suspicions to child protective services.

  Explanation: This example demonstrates the legal concept of excision even when the act itself is planned to occur outside the immediate jurisdiction. The intent and arrangement to facilitate the removal of external female genitalia for non-medical reasons are often criminalized, highlighting the legal efforts to prevent such procedures.

• Example 3: During a routine medical check-up, a pediatrician discovers evidence of an excisional procedure on a young child, which was performed without medical necessity. The doctor is legally mandated to report this finding to the appropriate child protection agencies, triggering an investigation into who performed the procedure and under what circumstances.

  Explanation: Here, "excision" refers to the specific physical alteration of the child's genitalia that has already occurred, indicating a past act of FGM that requires legal and protective intervention.