FIGIJ Advocacy Statement on Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting FGM/C, Endorsed by NASPAG

Abstract

Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is a global problem affecting millions of girls and women. It involves cutting or removing parts of the external genitalia for no medical reason, often without consent, and has no health benefits. It is deeply rooted in tradition and often undertaken by lay practitioners. It is known to have immediate risks (of haemorrhage, infection, death) and long-term sexual, gynaecological, obstetric, urological and mental health sequelae including post traumatic stress disorder. Health professionals worldwide need to be aware that girls and women from high-prevalence regions including migrants might have been subjected to FGM/C. FIGIJ and NASPAG strongly oppose the harmful practice of FGM/C as it is a form of gender-based violence and child abuse. FIGIJ and NASPAG call upon governments to ban the practice, and health professionals to develop culturally sensitive patient centred clinical practice guidelines, and to respectfully cooperate with community leaders in order to co-design solutions that will eliminate the practice.

Keywords: child abuse; female circumcision; female genital mutilation/cutting; infibulation.