Marci Foundation
What is Female Genital Mutilation?
FGM
Female genital mutilation (FGM) refers to all procedures involving partial or total removal of the female external genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. It is most often carried out on young girls between infancy and age 15. In every form in which it is practiced, FGM is a violation of girls’ and women’s fundamental human rights, including their rights to health, security and dignity.
A model of the clitoris
Education and Therapy Groups
Marci Foundation services include public education on the incidence and prevalence of FGM/C along with options for survivors. Clitoral Restoration Surgery is a complicated option that requires patient's to address social and personal considerations in additon to choosing to have the restorative surgery. Marci Foundation strives to be culturally respectful while being unequivocally opposed to the practice of FGM.​
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​In addition to performing the medical surgeries, Marci Foundation trains local medical teams to perform FGM restorative surgery and to support public awareness of FGM’s negative effects to ultimately reduce the incidence of FGM so that women have control over their bodies, their sexuality and their physical and mental health.
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Marci Foundation also provides access to virtual group therapy for female patient-survivors, as well as quarterly post-op recovery group check-ins for women who have undergone clitoral restoration surgery. Post surgical care and therapy are provided to holistically address the issues that stem from FGM because surgery alone is often not enough to bring about complete recovery from the impact of FGM.
If you are interested in learning more, the following nonprofit resources can provide additional information:
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