Diaconia University of Applied Sciences, Diak South, Järvepää Unit. Degree programme in Social Services Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a term used to describe various traditional practices that involve the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia for cultural and traditional reasons in many African societies. This research addresses the concept of this practice by looking at the different beliefs that support its continuation. The study focuses on the experiences of women, who know more about the practice, by looking at their flashbacks, the procedure, consequences involved before and after the mutilation, cultural beliefs, religious views on the practice, and the human rights that were violated by the practice of female genital mutilation. The research result indicated that female genital mutilation is not only a practice experienced by African communities anymore. Female genital mutilation has spread to other parts of the world and it has become a global issue through the increased rates of immigration and search for better living standards. The study also found out that FGM was a practice performed on the girls and women due to cultural beliefs that female genital mutilation (FGM) is used to signify a rite of passage from childhood to adulthood. To simplify that one is ready for marriage and other responsibilities that married women have, for instance taking care of the husband and bearing children. Other female genital mutilation consequences, which were revealed by the research, include the physical consequences, psychological consequences and social consequences, which occurred before and after the mutilation procedure. In conclusion, female genital mutilation is a criminal offence according to legislation because it causes pain, violates the human rights and the health of women and puts girls at risk. Empowering people in the community with knowledge on the subject and providing the necessary resources will help eliminating the practice.