Awareness Of Female Genital Mutilation Research Articles

Raising Awareness of Female Genital Mutilation Through Theater.

This article considers several plays by European playwrights that focus on cases of female genital mutilation, with the goal of raising awareness among their communities of the practice itself, the reason it exists or persists, and the consequences it has had on the lives of the women who have undergone it. The plays discussed are "Kubra" by Dacia Maraini (2016); Little Stitches by Bahar Brunton, Karis E. Halsall, Isley Lynn and Raúl Quirós Molina (2014); and Cuttin' It by Charlene James (2016).

Need for Increased Awareness of Female Genital Mutilation Among Physicians.

Need for Increased Awareness of Female Genital Mutilation Among Physicians.

The role of the SCPHN school nurse in raising awareness of female genital mutilation

Migration has resulted in specialist community public health nurses (SCPHN), specifically SCPHN school nurses, encountering female genital mutilation (FGM) more commonly in practice, requiring them to upskill to offer support and raise awareness ( Robinson, 2011 ). A policy was critically analysed, and a literature review conducted, to identify evidence-based strategies to enable the SCPHNSN to effectively raise FGM awareness to school-aged pupils. The findings highlighted three themes – Education, cultural influence and community leader and FGM survivor engagement, which translated into practice as a SCPHNSN-led FGM education project ( Diop and Askew, 2009 , Adeniran et al. 2015 , Galukande et al. 2015 , Raible et al. 2017 , Connelly et al. 2018 , Johnson et al. 2018 ). A project such as this would enable the SCPHNSN to raise pupil awareness, increase knowledge of support services, achieving practice decline over time.

Case report: epidermoid inclusion cyst of the clitoris as a long-term complication of female genital mutilation

BackgroundFemale genital mutilation is a common procedure in sub-Saharan Africa that causes serious short- and long-term complications. Although physicians can overcome these complications sometimes, they can be very confusing to diagnose. In this report, we discuss the surgical management of a patient with an epidermal inclusion cyst of the clitoris as a long-term complication of type III female genital mutilation.Case presentationA healthy 43-year-old African woman who was a nonsmoker and nonalcoholic presented with a large genital mass causing difficulty in urination and sexual discomfort. The patient had three full-term spontaneous vaginal deliveries without any complications. Perineal examination revealed a 6 × 10-cm, well-circumscribed, mobile, nontender, rounded cystic swelling in the right periclitoral area that was obstructing the urinary meatus and vaginal introitus. A surgical procedure was performed for total excision of the clitoral mass. Pathological findings showed an epidermoid inclusion cyst.ConclusionsBesides increasing clinicians’ awareness of female genital mutilation and its long-term complications, public education campaigns should be designed to eradicate this practice.

“When Something Is Wrong We Write It”: The Portrayal of Female Genital Mutilation in Children’s Literature

© 2019 BY BOOKBIRD, INC. Focusing on Williams-Garcia’s No Laughter Here (2004) and Craigie’s What Was Never Said (2015), this article questions their representation of female genital mutilation (FGM). It considers the use of voice, writing, and sisterhood in promoting awareness of FGM, and the tactics used to speak of it, while simultaneously sheltering the reader from graphic descriptions. Further, it explores the ways in which they reveal, well intentioned as they undoubtedly are, very Western constructions of African traditions.

What can be done to raise midwives' awareness of female genital mutilation?

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a safeguarding issue on which many midwives and health professionals in the UK have limited knowledge. This review synthesises the available literature and examines the resulting themes: cultural sensitivity, training, language and cultural differences, all of which can act as barriers to safeguarding women in maternity services. By understanding the effects of FGM, midwives in the areas where FGM is less prevalent will be better able to care for these women when they encounter them, which may be increasingly likely, as the numbers of women migrating to the UK grow.

A qualitative study exploring how Somali women exposed to female genital mutilation experience and perceive antenatal and intrapartum care in England

ObjectivesTo explore how Somali women exposed to female genital mutilation experience and perceive antenatal and intrapartum care in England. We explored women's perceptions of deinfibulation, caesarean section and vaginal delivery;...

Understanding FGM and its impact

An awareness of female genital mutilation will prepare nurses, writes Lazara Dominguez-Garcia

A multicentre study on knowledge and attitude of nurses in northern Nigeria concerning female genital mutilation

Objective To determine the knowledge and attitude of nurses in northern Nigeria concerning female genital mutilation (FGM). Methods Cross-sectional study in which 350 nurses working in three tertiary health institutions in northern Nigeria were assessed, using a self-administered questionnaire, with regard to their knowledge of, and attitude to, FGM. Results Two hundred and sixty-five respondents (76%) were female, 190 (54%) were married. Most (249; 71%) were Muslims, and 228 (65%), of Hausa/Fulani ethnicity. Their ages ranged from 18–60 years with a mean of 29.3 ± 8.9. Among the respondents, 318 (91%) had heard of FGM; of these 127 (40%) knew no particular type of FGM. Only 155 (49%) could identify ‘Angurya’ and ‘Gishiri’ cuts as forms of FGM. Two hundred and forty-five (77%), 231 (73%) and 200 (63%), respectively, identified haemorrhage; risk of HIV, hepatitis, and tetanus; and painful sexual intercourse as possible complications of FGM. Thirteen (4%) would perform it and also would have it done on their daughters. Conclusion The nurses studied had a high level of awareness of FGM and a good general knowledge of complications associated with FGM. However, only half knew what ‘Angurya’ and ‘Gishiri’ cuts were. A few would perform FGM.

Female genital mutilation: Raising awareness among teachers

Raising awareness of female genital mutilation (FGM) in the school environment is essential. Kamaljit Thandi provides information and advice on FGM, which school nurses can provide to teachers and other professionals working in schools.

Attitudes and awareness of female genital mutilation: A questionnaire-based study in a Kenyan hospital

SummaryThere are considerable efforts in Kenya to increase awareness of the issues and health risks associated with female genital mutilation (FGM) through educational programmes. The Kenyan government formally outlawed FGM in 2001. This questionnaire-based study aimed to explore attitudes and awareness of FGM in Kenya with particular reference to the law, health complications and educational programmes. A significant decline in the prevalence of FGM was demonstrated and awareness of health complications of FGM shown to be the main factor causing this trend. The need for further efforts to eradicate the practice and the importance of religion and culture in shaping social attitudes was evident. The outlawing of FGM was considered a positive advance but may have the detrimental effect of deterring women from seeking medical assistance for complications relating to FGM.

Female genital mutilation

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is performed in many countries where it is an accepted and expected custom. This is not the case in the UK but more and more women who have had FGM performed are presenting to healthcare professionals. It is therefore important that we increase our awareness of FGM and the particular problems associated with this procedure. There is no religious basis for FGM but it is perpetuated by tradition in societies. The complications are vast, and women who are coming to this country who have had FGM are often keen to have it reversed. Although the vaginal introitus can be made adequate, if the clitoris has been removed, clearly this cannot be replaced. It is illegal to perform FGM in this country after the Prohibition of Female Circumcision Act 1985. However, it is important that we are sensitive and supportive to women who have had FGM.