What is the difference in definition between FGC and FGM??

Question

I know the act is the female genital cutting, but I need to know why both definitions are used and what the differences are. Thanks.

Answer 1

My understanding is that they changed it to female genital "cutting" because the use of the word "mutilation" was too judgmental and was critized because in some cultures it is perfectly acceptable to perform female genital cutting as a ritual.

Answer 2

FGC - female genital cutting

FGM - female genital mutilation,

Not sure why two ways of expressing it though, the second one sounds more severe though doesn't it?

Answer 3

Female genital cutting (FGC) is also known as female genital mutilation (FGM), female circumcision or female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) and refers to "all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs whether for cultural, religious or other non-therapeutic reasons." The term is almost exclusively used to describe traditional, cultural, and religious procedures where parents must give consent, due to the minor age of the subject, rather than to procedures generally done with self-consent (such as labiaplasty and vaginoplasty). It also generally does not refer to procedures used in gender reassignment surgery, and the genital modification of intersexuals.

The WHO (World Health Organization) uses the term FGM.