[The female genital mutilation: the current situation and the role of healthcare workers in the fight against excision].

Female genital mutilation: the current situation and the role of healthcare workers in combating excision. Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) affects more than 200 million girls and women, mainly in African countries. These procedures have no medical rationale and are essentially a form of power abuse. Despite alarming levels in some countries, prevalence has decreased over the last two decades, but only in very limited proportions. FGM/C is even found in non-African countries due to migration for family reasons, education, work opportunities or political insecurity. In countries such as France, when medical and psychological problems arise, more nurses and health personnel treat FGM/C victims. Their role in the recognition, alert, attendance and fight against such mutilations is crucial.