Legal Definitions - infibulation

Infibulation refers to a severe form of female genital mutilation (FGM) that involves the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, followed by the stitching or narrowing of the vaginal opening. This procedure typically leaves only a small opening for the passage of urine and menstrual blood. It is often performed on young girls and can lead to significant immediate and long-term health complications, including severe pain, infection, childbirth complications, and psychological trauma. Infibulation is widely recognized as a violation of human rights and is illegal in many countries.

• A 25-year-old woman, originally from a community where infibulation is practiced, seeks emergency medical attention in a Western hospital due to severe pain and infection. Doctors discover she underwent infibulation as a child, and the extensive scarring and narrowing of her vaginal opening are causing her current health crisis. This scenario illustrates infibulation as a procedure that leads to serious, lasting physical complications requiring medical intervention.

• A mother and her young daughter arrive at a border seeking asylum, explaining that they fled their home country specifically to protect the daughter from being subjected to infibulation, a practice common in their village. The mother provides evidence of the cultural pressure and the severe health risks associated with the procedure, arguing that returning would put her daughter's life and well-being at grave risk. This example demonstrates infibulation as a threat that can compel individuals to seek legal protection, highlighting its status as a human rights violation.

• During a routine prenatal check-up, a pregnant woman informs her obstetrician that she underwent infibulation as a teenager. The medical team plans for a "deinfibulation" procedure, which involves surgically reopening the stitched vaginal area, to ensure a safe vaginal delivery and prevent further complications for both mother and baby. This situation shows the medical necessity of reversing infibulation for critical life events and underscores the profound, ongoing impact of the procedure on a woman's health and reproductive rights.