Tackling female genital mutilation in the UK

Creighton, Sarah M.; Samuel, Zimran; Otoo-Oyortey, Naana; Hodes, Deborah

doi:10.1136/bmj.l15

Cited by 29 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…32,33 In the UK also, there are the reports of families being torn apart and girls being traumatised as a result of interventions to check for suspected FGM. [34][35][36] Every case of genital examination involves an individual girl child. Hopefully, most examinations are carried out in a kind and gentle manner and in a safe environment by professionals who show respect for the girl's integrity every step of the way.…”

Section: Anti-fgm Politics Harming the Girls That We Intend To Protectmentioning

confidence: 99%

Meaning well while doing harm: compulsory genital examinations in Swedish African girls

Johnsdotter

2019

Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters

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In this article, I discuss compulsory genital examinations in Swedish African, mainly Somali, girls. The discussion is based on data from 122 police files, including criminal investigations regarding suspected "female genital mutilation" (FGM). A growing body of research in European countries indicates that processes of cultural change are occurring among immigrant communities from areas where traditionally girls are subjected to what is construed as "circumcision". Many studies show growing opposition to these practices among people who have migrated to Europe, and there is little evidence to support the assertion that largescale illegal activities are prevalent. Yet there is a dominant discourse stating that FGM is secretively practised on a large scale among some immigrant groups in Europe, and policies encourage the detection of cases to charge in criminal court. I describe the current situation in Sweden and highlight some of the drawbacks of a very harsh, although well-intended, policy to check for FGM in Europe. While the ultimate aim is to protect girls at risk for FGM, current policies have ramifications that are invasive and sometimes even traumatising for the girls involved. This paper offers an empirical example of how politics in western multicultural societies may negatively influence the sexual health and rights of a target group, in this case, girls and young women whose families originate from countries where circumcision of girls is practiced.

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Section: Anti-fgm Politics Harming the Girls That We Intend To Protectmentioning

confidence: 99%

Meaning well while doing harm: compulsory genital examinations in Swedish African girls

Johnsdotter

2019

Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters

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“…Estimates based on migration data suggest there are up to 60 000 such girls in the UK.”2 Our report, based on birth registration statistics, estimated that 60 273 girls were born in England and Wales to migrant mothers with FGM from 1996 to 2010, and a further 17 344 were born in 2011-13 3. We specifically warned that these children could not be assumed to be “at risk” of FGM, citing qualitative research showing that attitudes to FGM have changed on migration, leading many families to abandon it (although small numbers of girls living in England and Wales are still subjected to FGM or threatened with it) 3…”

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confidence: 90%

“…The Department of Health and Social Care’s FGM enhanced dataset for England is flawed, as the editorial makes clear 2. On the other hand, the published reports explain clearly what is recorded and warn about the poor quality and incompleteness of the data 45.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Misleading use of FGM statistics compounds concerns about their reliability

Macfarlane

2019

BMJ

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“…Having seen the results of female genital mutilation as a medical student during my elective in Sudan, I would urge that we avoid euphemisms such as “cut.”1 The word cut could suggest the kind of trivial injury that we all experience without trauma. Can you imagine describing deliberate nasal amputation or other facial mutilation as being cut?…”

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confidence: 99%