Female genital mutilation

[The senior deputy editor responds:]

We thank Phillipa Rispin for drawing this to our attention and agree that the term “female circumcision” is an inappropriate euphemism. However, some clinical practice guidelines have pointed out that not all women who have undergone genital modification in its various forms consider themselves mutilated and may be insulted by the term “female genital mutilation.”1 Terms such as “traditional female surgery,” “ritual female surgery” and “female genital cutting” have been proposed by some groups as nonjudgmental alternatives. However, in view of the serious harms associated with these practices and the disempowerment of the majority of girls and young women who are affected, we defer to the WHO's recommendation and have adopted “female genital mutilation (FGM)” as the preferred term in our style guide. Canadian physicians should bear in mind, however, that while FGM is not legal in this country, the terms they use in discussing this practice and its consequences with patients need to be culturally sensitive.