Britannica Sources used in this answer

How does Type 1 female genital cutting differ from Type 2 female genital cutting?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Body modifications and mutilations Peruvian elongated skulls, trephined male (left) and intact female (right), c. 1000 bc.

The World Health Organization classifies female genital cutting (FGC) into distinct categories based on the extent of the procedure. The primary difference between Type 1 and Type 2 lies in the amount of tissue removed:

Type 1 (Clitoridectomy): This procedure involves the partial or total removal of the clitoris. In some instances, the clitoral hood (prepuce) is also removed.1
Type 2 (Excision): This procedure involves the partial or total removal of the clitoris and the labia minora. It may also include the removal of the labia majora.1

FGC is a harmful practice that often involves forced participation and can lead to severe short-term consequences, such as hemorrhage and infection, as well as long-term physiological and psychological trauma. International human rights efforts, including those by the United Nations, advocate for the abandonment of these procedures to protect the health and bodily autonomy of women and girls.1