The Hidden Trauma of FGM: Tools and Terrors

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is often described as a cultural rite of passage, but the reality of the procedure reveals something much darker. In many rural communities, FGM is carried out with crude, makeshift tools—razor blades, broken glass, or even rusty knives. Without anesthesia or proper sanitation, girls as young as five endure unbearable pain, sometimes leading to infections, scarring, and lifelong health issues.

“It was like being cut with fire,” says Asha, a 16-year-old girl who underwent FGM at the age of 10. “I couldn’t understand why it was happening to me. I just knew I had to sit still, or it would hurt more.”

The physical wounds heal slowly, but the emotional scars often last a lifetime. Many girls describe feelings of terror, helplessness, and abandonment that stay with them for years. “The pain was so bad, I don’t think I’ll ever forget it,” says Farida, now 18. “Every time I hear a blade or see blood, it all comes rushing back.”

For many, the trauma of FGM triggers lasting mental health struggles. Anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress are common among survivors, who carry the burden of both physical pain and psychological suffering. Some, like Leila, struggle to trust those closest to them. “It felt like a betrayal,” she says quietly. “The people who were supposed to protect me let this happen.”

FGM isn’t just a physical ordeal; it’s a lasting trauma that alters a girl’s life forever. And while some are brave enough to share their stories, many more suffer in silence, their pain invisible but real.