Female genital mutilation/cutting: risk management and strategies for social workers and health care professionals

Abstract

Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is a traditional practice originating in Africa. Its worst forms cause irreparable harm to girls and women and have no medical justification. Based on a literature review of global responses to FGM/C and conversations with Australian women who migrated from FGM/C practicing countries, this paper provides some background on FGM/C and its epidemiology, outlining its prevalence, types, and health risks and complications for women and girls. It discusses risk-prevention strategies, first, for health practitioners in identifying, screening, and supporting women affected by FGM/C and, second, for welfare and social workers and health care professionals to identify, work with, and prevent girls from being cut. Consistent with international trends in addressing the risks of FGM/C, the paper suggests practice responses for coordinated responses between professionals, communities from practicing countries, and governments of different countries.

Perception and barriers: reporting female genital mutilation

“…For instance, it has been suggested that there could be associations between FGM and adult women's maternal morbidity in Gambia (Morison et al, 2001). Some studies have also examined attitudes towards FGM, particularly among community practitioners and midwives (Kaplan et al, 2011), and others have investigated barriers to adequately preventing FGM faced by professionals in other sectors -for example, health and social workers (Costello, 2015). These include awareness of different types of FGM, lack of confidence about how to respond to FGM victim-survivors in culturally sensitive and respectful ways and effective procedures for monitoring and screening girls and women who may be at risk of experiencing FGM.…”

Female genital mutilation and noninvasive cervical abnormalities and invasive cervical cancer in Senegal, West Africa: A retrospective study

“…While an overall decline has been observed in the last three decades, an estimated 200 million women and girls worldwide are thought to be affected . Serious sexual and reproductive health problems are experienced by girls and women who have undergone FGM/C . Long‐term consequences include recurrent infection, urinary incontinence, pain with intercourse, complications during childbirth and psychological effects .…”

“…Serious sexual and reproductive health problems are experienced by girls and women who have undergone FGM/C . Long‐term consequences include recurrent infection, urinary incontinence, pain with intercourse, complications during childbirth and psychological effects . Although the relationship between FGM/C and HIV has not been extensively studied, the use of unsterilized instruments on girls undergoing FGM/C together could potentially increase the risk of HIV transmission .…”

The relationship between female genital mutilation and post-traumatic stress disorder with adolescent rural girls: Implications for Trauma-Informed Social Work Practice

“…This study found that there is an important role for social workers as well as the medical team in the prevention of FGM, through assessing the level of risk. The author also proposes that social workers work directly with the family to minimize the risk but also to intervene if they believe FGM is likely to occur or has occurred (Elvin, 2014) Costello (2015) addresses risks of FGM risks among Australian women who migrated from FGM-practicing countries. This article provides some background on FGM/C and its epidemiology outlines its prevalence, types, health risks and complications it imposes for women and girls (Costello, 2015).…”

“…The author also proposes that social workers work directly with the family to minimize the risk but also to intervene if they believe FGM is likely to occur or has occurred (Elvin, 2014) Costello (2015) addresses risks of FGM risks among Australian women who migrated from FGM-practicing countries. This article provides some background on FGM/C and its epidemiology outlines its prevalence, types, health risks and complications it imposes for women and girls (Costello, 2015). The study also discusses risk-prevention strategies for health practitioners and welfare and social workers and health care professionals.…”