www.hertsdirect.org Justification for FGM Reasons include: custom and tradition religion; in the mistaken belief that it is a religious requirement preservation of virginity/chastity social acceptance, especially for marriage hygiene and cleanliness increasing sexual pleasure for the male family honour a sense of belonging to the group and conversely the fear of social exclusion enhancing fertility Many women believe that FGM is necessary to ensure acceptance by their community; they are unaware that FGM is not practised in most of the world
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