Prohibited Sexual Behavior and Sexual Violence

Sexual Violence: Mutilation of Female Sex Organs: Forms: Excision

When a clitoridectomy is combined with the partial or complete removal of the inner lips (labia minora), one speaks of an “excision”. This type of surgery amounts to a partial vulvectomy, i.e. the removal of large parts of the vulva. The highly sensitive inner lips play an important role in the female sexual response, and their absence cannot but impair this reponse. In short, this operation is an even more serious mutilation than a clitoridectomy alone.

Vulva after an excision