Female genital mutilation of minors in Italy: is a harmless and symbolic alternative justified?

In 2004, Omar Abdulcadir - a gynecologist of the Centre for the prevention and therapy of Female Genital Mutilation (FMG) at the Careggi Hospital (Florence) - proposed a “harmless and symbolic” alternative to female genital mutilation, which consists in the puncture of the clitoris under local anesthesia, in order to allow the outflow of some drops of blood.(1) The intention behind the symbolic alternative is to avoid more severe forms of FGM while respecting cultural heritage. This option could result advantageous especially in the case of FGM of minors, whose immigrant parents are resolved to travel to their countries of emigration in order to obtained it. \r\nThe proposal of this alternative procedure, which was sustained by the leaders of 10 local African immigrant communities, has encountered ample criticism.(1) However, the question is: is the puncture of the clitoris prohibited by the Italian Law n. 7/2006? If it is not, could it be considered a method of reducing health risks caused by the more invasive forms of FGM?(2) Or could it culturally legitimize FGM, causing a greater difficulty in the attempts to prevent and eradicate FGM in Italy?