Female genital mutilation: a dilemma in child protection.

a highly heterogeneous population of minority ethnic groups. Among these are two groups in which the practice of female circumcision, or female genital mutilation as it is now known, is traditional: the Somalis and the Yemenis. In addition to these well established communities there are members of other ethnic groups in which it is practised. Female genital mutilation is an ancient practice found in the main across the African Sahel extending in East Africa north into Egypt and south into Tanzania.I It is also found in parts of the Arabian and Malay peninsulas.2 It is traditional across many different ethnic groups and faiths, including people of Nilotic, Cushitic or Bantu origin, Christians, Moslems, Jews (Falashas), and followers of indigenous religions.