FGM can happen at different times in a girl/woman’s life including:

• When a baby is born
• Childhood/teenager
• Before marriage
• During pregnancy

Sometimes children aren’t aware or know the risk of what’s going to happen to them. Some signs include:

• A relative or someone known as a “cutter” visiting from abroad. A cutter refers to a person that carries out FGM. Tools like knives, scalpels, scissors, glass or razor blades are used for the procedure.
• A special occasion or ceremony takes place where a girl ‘becomes a woman’ or is ‘prepared for marriage’.
• A female relative, like a mother, sister or aunt has undergone FGM.
• The family arranges a long holiday overseas or visits a family abroad during the summer.
• A girl has an unexpected or long absence from school.
• A girl struggles to keep up in school.
• A girl runs away/plans to run away from home.

Signs to know when it has it happened:

• Difficulty walking, standing or sitting.
• Spending more time in the bathroom or toilet.
• Appearing quiet, anxious or depressed.
• Acting differently after being absent from school or college.
• Reluctant to go to the doctor or have routine medical examinations.
• Asking for help, but it might not be explicit about the problem because they’re scared or embarrassed.

There are no health benefits to FGM, but it happens from cultural, religious, and social reasons. Children are at a higher risk if their mother, sister, or another family member has undergone this procedure. Find out more here.