| FGM/C Research Initiative

Introduction Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) amongst Bohras in India has gained systematic public attention since 2012. The issue first rose to prominence because of two international legal cases on FGM/C against practicing Bohras in Australia and the US. We have since seen the rise of a strong survivor-led movement calling for an end to the practice of Khafd amongst Bohras. This anti-FGM/C movement seeks to end the practice through legal reform in India and by raising community awareness about the impact of the harmful traditional practice. Very few national-level field research studies have been published to understand the practice of Khafd in India. Supporters of Khafd often cite the &lsquo;lack of evidence&rsquo; about the impact of FGM/C in India as a justification that it is not harmful and therefore should be continued. The Government of India too has used the lack of &lsquo;official data&rsquo; to shirk its responsibility to address or even acknowledge the existence of FGM/C in India. The current study contributes to the small body of existing research studies on FGM/C in India. It not only builds evidence of the existence of the practice in India today, but also seeks to document survivors&rsquo; experiences of the harmful impacts of Khafd as practiced by Bohras.

Resource

The Clitoral Hood A Contested Site Khafd or Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) in India