[Circumcision in women and infibulation]

Abstract

We saw three women born in the Horn of Africa in whom the residual state of infibulation could be observed. Female circumcision is applied to millions of women, particularly in Africa. The social significance, the origins and the medical and psychosexual implications are discussed. In order to improve women's health and status, the international health organisations can use their influence to replace mutilating excision and infibulation by a minor ritual incision.