WHAT IS FEMALE GENTIAL MUTILATION?
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is the collective term for a number of procedures, involving cutting or removal of the external female genitalia. Some of these procedures are minor in nature, while others involve significant intervention. It is usually performed on girls or adolescent women.
WHY IS FGM PRACTISED?
FGM is deeply rooted in tradition and is supported by a wide range of beliefs including: ensuring girl’s chastity and marriageability, enhancing fertility, preserving family honour, avoiding ostracism of girls who have not undergone the practice, and fostering social cohesion.
FGM is not a religious practice. It predates religions such as Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. The practice has frequently been carried out in the genuine but erroneous belief that it was demanded by religious faiths. There are no identified health benefits from the practice.
WHERE IS FGM PRACTICED?
FGM is practiced in many parts of the world and has been documented in more that 40 countries. In Africa FGM is practiced in approximately 28 countries including Somalia, Sudan, Egypt, Chad, Eriteria, and Kenya as well as some other parts of Western and Eastern Africa. While in Asia and the Middle East FGM occurs among some groups in Malaysia, Indonesia, India, Pakistan, the United Arab Emerates, Yemen, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Israel and in some areas of Saudi Arabia. In Latin America FGM occurs among some groups in Brazil, Eastern Mexico and Peru.
IS FGM PRACTICED IN AUSTRALIA?
There is no documented evidence that FGM is practiced in Australia.
However, there are females in Australia affected by FGM who underwent the procedure overseas.
WHAT ARE THE HEALTH EFFECTS OF FGM?
The effects of FGM can vary. Not all women will experience severe ill-effects, but many do.
The immediate physical effects can include violent pain, backache, suppressed pain, post operative shock, haemorrhage, damage to other organs, acute urine retention, tetanus and septacaemia. HIV and Hepatitis B transmission may also occur when simultaneous operations are performed on a group of girls.
Long term effects can include difficulties with sexual intercourse, menstrual problems, kidney infection, chronic infection of the uterus and vagina, infertility, acute problems during labour and birth, incontinence, prolapses, chronic vulval abscesses, difficulty in using contraceptive methods and sexual dysfunction.
The psychological effects can include anxiety prior to operation, trauma, sense of humiliation, sense of betrayal by parents, loss of sleep, severe depression and post traumatic stress disorder.
WHAT ARE THE HEALTH NEEDS OF WOMEN AFFECTED BY FGM?
The health needs of women affected by the practice depend on the particular consequences being experienced by the individual. They may include regular gynaecological check-ups, counselling, intensive pre-natal and post-natal care, restorative surgery, menopausal care, special family planning services and access to female health workers.
WHAT IS THE AUSTRALIAN RESPONSE TO THE FGM PRACTICE?
In Australia there is a commitment by the Commonwealth and State Governments to a national education program of FGM, which aims to eliminate the practice of FGM and to assist women and girls who have undergone the practice through a process of awareness raising, community development, health promotion and community education.
Female Genital Mutilation is Illegal in Australia
WHAT IS THE TASMANIAN RESPONSE TO THE FGM PRACTICE?
The Tasmanian Government has enacted legislation known as the Criminal Code Amendment Act 1995. This legislation will not be proclaimed until an education program of FGM is established and has been implemented for some time (note, legislation is to be proclaimed on 1 December 1999). Upon the proclamation of this legislation the practice will become illegal in Tasmania. It will also become illegal to take a child under the age of 18 years, who normally resides in Tasmania, out of the state with the intention of having FGM performed on the child.
In addition to the legislation, The Tasmanian Government has initiated a community education program run by the Department of Health and Human Services.
For further information contact:
Women's Cross Cultural Program, Womens Health, Department of Health and Human Services
Freecall: 1800 675 028