Practice Of Female Genital Mutilation Research Articles

Hierarchical modelling of factors associated with the practice and perpetuation of female genital mutilation in the next generation of women in Africa.

Despite a total prohibition on the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM), young girls continue to be victims in some African countries. There is a paucity of data on the effect of FGM practice in two generations in Africa. This study assessed the current practice of daughters' FGM among women living in 14 FGM-prone countries in Africa as a proxy to assess the future burden of FGM in the continent. We used Demographic and Health Surveys data collected between 2010 and 2018 from 14 African countries. We analyzed information on 93,063 women-daughter pair (Level 1) from 8,396 communities (Level 2) from the 14 countries (Level 3). We fitted hierarchical multivariable binomial logistic regression models using the MLWin 3.03 module in Stata version 16 at p<0.05. The overall prevalence of FGM among mothers and their daughters was 60.0% and 21.7%, respectively, corresponding to 63.8% reduction in the mother-daughter ratio of FGM. The prevalence of FGM among daughters in Togo and Tanzania were less than one per cent, 48.6% in Guinea, with the highest prevalence of 78.3% found in Mali. The percentage reduction in mother-daughter FGM ratio was highest in Tanzania (96.7%) and Togo (94.2%), compared with 10.0% in Niger, 15.0% in Nigeria and 15.9% in Mali. Prevalence of daughters' FGM among women with and without FGM was 34.0% and 3.1% respectively. The risk of mothers having FGM for their daughters was significantly associated with maternal age, educational status, religion, household wealth quintiles, place of residence, community unemployment and community poverty. The country and community where the women lived explained about 57% and 42% of the total variation in FGM procurement for daughters. Procurement of FGM for the daughters of the present generation of mothers in Africa is common, mainly, among those from low social, poorer, rural and less educated women. We advocate for more context-specific studies to fully assess the role of each of the identified risk factors and design sustainable intervention towards the elimination of FGM in Africa.

Understanding Female Genital Mutilation As Practice in Cameroon

The practice of female genital mutilation conflicts with modern Human Rights norms and serves as a point of conflict as well. Hence, this cultural practice promulgated by those who rely based on cultural rights causes untold pain to the girl child warranting an investigation to determine what are the available legal and institutional framework regulating the practice in Cameroon. Hence, this paper seeks to look at the practice of Female Genital Mutilation in Cameroon, which permits us to look at the origin and types of genital mutilation amongst many other aspects in Cameroon. It does so by reviewing existing literatures relating to Female Genital Mutilation. The ensuing results reveal the various different forms of Female Genital Mutilation and its effects in Cameroon.

It\u2019s a woman\u2019s thing: gender roles sustaining the practice of female genital mutilation among the Kassena-Nankana of northern Ghana

IntroductionThe practice of female genital mutilation (FGM/C) in traditional African societies is grounded in traditions of patriarchy that subjugate women. It is widely assumed that approaches to eradicating the practice must therefore focus on women’s empowerment and changing gender roles.MethodsThis paper presents findings from a qualitative study of the FGM/C beliefs and opinions of men and women in Kassena-Nankana District of northern Ghana. Data are analyzed from 22 focus group panels of young women, young men, reproductive age women, and male social leaders.ResultsThe social systemic influences on FGM/C decision-making are complex. Men represent exogenous sources of social influence on FGM/C decisions through their gender roles in the patriarchal system. As such, their FGM/C decision influence is more prominent for uncircumcised brides at the time of marriage than for FGM/C decisions concerning unmarried adolescents. Women in extended family compounds are relatively prominent as immediate sources of influence on FGM/C decision-making for both brides and adolescents. Circumcised women are the main source of social support for the practice, which they exercise through peer pressure in concert with co-wives. Junior wives entering a polygynous marriage or a large extended family are particularly vulnerable to this pressure. Men are less influential and more open to suggestions of eliminating the practice of FGM/C than women.ConclusionFindings attest to the need for social research on ways to involve men in the promotion of FGM/C abandonment, building on their apparent openness to social change. Investigation is also needed on ways to marshal women’s social networks for offsetting their extended family familial roles in sustaining FGM/C practices.

Plurality of beliefs about female genital mutilation amidst decades of intervention programming in Narok and Kisii Counties, Kenya

Female genital mutilation derails efforts to achieve gender equality and the empowerment of girls and women. In Kenya, national estimates show a steady decline in prevalence, although there is considerable variation at the sub-national level. There is a need to better understand female genital mutilation-related norms and meanings and whether there have been changes in these given long-term and diverse efforts to promote abandonment. Focusing on Narok and Kisii counties, we conducted a cross-sectional qualitative study to identify social norms surrounding the practice of female genital mutilation, as well as consensus or contestation with respect to these norms. Ten focus group discussions were held with men and women aged 18 years and older from the Maasai and Abagusii communities that have traditionally practised female genital mutilation. Study findings showed that norms associated with female genital mutilation such as sexuality and marriageability were actively contested by community members. This change may provide a useful starting point for programmes that seek to create dialogue and critical reflection on female genital mutilation to accelerate its abandonment.

A hybrid, effectiveness-implementation research study protocol targeting antenatal care providers to provide female genital mutilation prevention and care services in Guinea, Kenya and Somalia

BackgroundIn settings with high prevalence of female genital mutilation (FGM), the health sector could play a bigger role in its prevention and care of women and girls who have undergone this harmful practice. However, ministries of health lack clear policies, strategic plans or dedicated funding to implement anti-FGM interventions. Along with limited relevant knowledge and skills to prevent the practice of FGM and care for girls and women living with FGM, health providers have limited interpersonal communication skills and self-efficacy, while some may have supportive attitudes towards FGM and its medicalization. We propose to test the effectiveness of a health system strengthening intervention that includes training antenatal care (ANC) providers on person-centred communication (PCC) for FGM prevention.MethodsThis will be a two-level, hybrid, effectiveness-implementation research study using a cluster randomized trial design in Guinea, Kenya and Somalia conducted over a 6 months period. In each country, within pre-selected regions/counties, 60 ANC clinics will be randomized to intervention and control arms. At baseline, all clinics will receive the level one intervention involving provision of FGM-related clinical guidelines and handbook as well as anti-FGM policies and posters. At month 3, intervention clinics will receive the level two intervention comprising of a training for ANC providers on PCC to challenge their FGM-related attitudes and build their communication skills to effectively provide FGM prevention counselling. A process evaluation will be conducted to understand ‘how’ and ‘why’ the intervention package achieves intended results. Multi-level regression modelling will be used for quantitative data analysis while qualitative data will be assessed using thematic content analysis to determine the effectiveness, feasibility and acceptability of the different intervention levels.DiscussionThe proposed study will strengthen the knowledge base regarding how to effectively involve health providers in FGM prevention and care.Trial registrationTrial registration and date: PACTR201906696419769 (June 3rd, 2019).

Wrong Perceptions Towards Health Consequences of Female Genital Mutilation and Associated Factors Among Women in Adama District, Oromia, Ethiopia

<i>Background</i>: Wrong perceptions towards health consequences of female genital mutilation among women can contribute to the continuation of the practice of female genital mutilation. This study aimed at determining the prevalence of wrong perception towards health consequences of female genital mutilation and associated factors among women at Adama District. <i>Objective</i>: To determine the prevalence of wrong perceptions towards health consequences of female genital mutilation and associated factors among women in Adama district, Oromia, Ethiopia from Oct 15-20, 2019. <i>Method</i>: Community based cross sectional study design was used. A total of 507 women were selected using systematic sampling method from randomly selected six kebeles in Adama District. Data were collected using pretested semi structured interviewer administered quantitative questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Binary Logistic Regression and Multiple Logistic Regression were used to find the association between wrong perception and associated factors. <i>Result</i>: 158 (31.2)% (95% CI: 27, 35.5) of women had wrong perceptions towards health consequences of female genital mutilation. Rural residence (AOR, 2.68; 95% CI: 1.42, 5.04), not having any maternal care service (AOR, 2.56, 95% CI: 1.40, 4.68), no mass media exposure (AOR, 2.68, 95% CI: 1.21, 5.94) and age at circumcision>11 years (AOR, 0.31, 95% CI: 0.12, 0.78) were statistically significant variables associated with wrong perception towards health consequences of female genital mutilations (p<0.05). <i>Conclusion and recommendation</i>: 31.2% of women had wrong perceptions. Women at Rural residence, having no mass media exposure, having no maternal care service and circumcised at<10 years had wrong perceptions towards health consequences of female genital mutilations. Increased maternal care service and health education were recommended to reduce women’s wrong perception towards health consequences of female genital mutilation.

The practice of female genital mutilation: Determinant factors and consequences to the female gender in the 21st century Nigeria

The practice of female genital mutilation: Determinant factors and consequences to the female gender in the 21st century Nigeria

Analysis of the Determinants of Female Genital Mutilation Practices in Senegal: A Secondary Analysis of the 2018 DHS

Introduction: Female genital mutilation (FGM), also known as female genital cutting or circumcision, threatens the health and well-being of millions of girls, women, and their children around the world. In Senegal, FGM practices persist despite numerous interventions. This study aims to analyze the determinants of FGM in Senegal. Methods: This article uses data from the 2018 Senegal Demographic and Health Survey (DHS), a nationally representative survey of 9413 women aged 15-49 years. In the descriptive analysis, variables were presented in terms of frequency and percentage of data. The significance level was set at 5, and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used. Variables with p values less than 0.25 in the bivariate analysis were selected for multivariate analysis. The dependent variable was a composite variable generated from 3 DHS variables that described the types of post-FGM genital lesions that exist in women. The analysis was performed using STATA/SE 17. Results: The prevalence of FGM is 17.14%. Eleven-point fifty-two percent (11.52%) or 999 women believe that FGM is a religiously recommended practice. Ninety-nine percent (993) of these women were Muslim (p=0.0017). Fifteen-point thirty-nine percent (15.39%) or 1,334 women think it is a practice that should continue to be practiced and 80.59% (or 6,988 women) think it should be stopped. The protective factors for the occurrence of FGM were female empowerment (high level of education of the woman (primary ajOR=0.64 [0.50-0.83] and secondary ajOR=0.43 [0.32, 0.57]) and the fact that the head of the family was a woman ajOR (0.75 [0.59-0.97]); belonging to the central region of Senegal (Diourbel, Kaolack, Thiès, Louga and Fatcick) and Christian religion (ajOr=0.05 [0.02-0.13]). The risk factors for female genital mutilation in Senegal were ethnicity and belonging to certain regions in the northeast and southeast of Senegal (Tambacounda, Matam, Kedougou). Conclusion: This study showed that FGM practices are still persistent in Senegal. This study underlined that the empowerment of women would allow the fight against FGM. Health interventions should be multisectoral, involving the education sectors with a strong investment in girls' education and retention.

CORRELATE BETWEEN THE INFLUENCE OF FGM PRACTICE AND EARLY MARRIAGE: A CASE STUDY OF THE ILLCHAMUS COMMUNITY IN BARINGO COUNTY, KENYA

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) refers to all procedures involving the partial or total removal of all the external female genitalia or any other injury to the female genital organ for non-medical reasons. Many girls who have undergone FGM opt to gate married early as they view education as meaningless. The main purpose of this study was to determine correlates between the effects of FGM practice and early marriage among Illchamus girls. The Illchamus are pastoralists whose livelihood depended on livestock. Despite the immense awareness of the dangers of FGM practice on the victims in many aspects in life, efforts to eradicate it, still persists and thrives. The study was premised on the social exchange theory and adopted a descriptive research design. Purposive and random sampling techniques were used to identify the respondents for the study. The study targeted a population of 100,000 and a sample size of 384 respondents. The research adopted both qualitative and quantitative approaches to data collection which included questionnaires, key informant interview and the focus group discussions. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22 for windows was used to analyze the data. Article visualizations:

The Moral Challenges of Female Genital Mutilation on the Stability of Marriage in Ebonyi State

Many cultures, in Nigeria today, are emerging from very traditional arcane cultural practices and are embracing more egalitarian and emancipatory values, especially for women. One of the cultural practices that have come under intense scrutiny in the treatment of women and the girl-child is the practice of Female Genital Mutilation or Cutting (FGM/C). It is one of the widely and deep-rooted cultural practices in Nigeria, especially in Ebonyi State. The aim of this paper is to examine the morality of female genital mutilation and its effect on the stability of marriages in Ebonyi state. The questions become, what is female genital mutilation? Is the practice morally justified and acceptable? Does it abuse the fundamental right of the woman? How does it affect the stability of marriages? These questions and many of its kinds surround the cultural practices of Female Genital Mutilation. This work is a contribution to the body of qualitative research, which explores the morality and effect of female genital mutilation on the stability of marriages, in Ebonyi state. The researchers contend that female genital mutilation (FGM) has a negative impact on the sexual life for women and therefore impacts negatively on their marriage. Using the moral prism and spectacles of virtue ethics and human right theories to examine the cultural practice of FGM, it therefore concludes that it should be discouraged because it violates women’s rights to life, physical integrity, good health and social flourishing.

Combating female genital mutilation in Northeast (Horn) Africa and its challenges.

This article investigates the practice of female genital mutilation as a long-held custom in the countries of Northeast Africa, known as Horn of Africa, where many women in rural and urban areas are faced with different physical and psychic consequences in their future lives. To investigate the prevalence of FGM in the Horn of Africa and the traditional thinking of People about it. This study was based on descriptive analysis method. The questions of the study are (a) Why female circumcision is widely practiced in Horn of Africa; (b) What are the mental and physical consequences of female genital mutilation for the women; and (c) How regional and international entities, whether governmental or NGOs, are combating this tradition. This article has found out that female genital mutilation in Northeast African countries has resulted in many lifelong diseases and sexual degradation in many women and the best way to combat this tradition is to inform people by gradual (not abrupt) trainings without any insult to the beliefs of the people. This study reveals the Health education based on behavioral change. In doing so, the unity of policies between regional and international actors along with attracting the support of tribal elites is also needed.

Prevalence of Female Genital Mutilation, and Women’s Knowledge, Attitude, and Intention to Practice in Egypt: A Nationwide Survey

Background: Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a human rights violation of girls and women and quite common in several countries, including Egypt. Objective(s): To estimate the prevalence of FGM among Egyptian females, to assess their knowledge, attitude, and intention to practice FGM, and to determine their possible correlates. Methods: A total of 770 females aged 15 - 49 years attending the family health centers at five randomly selected Egyptian governorates representing the different provinces of Egypt were included. A cross-sectional study design was used. A predesigned structured interviewing questionnaire was utilized to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics, females’ knowledge and attitude regarding FGM, and their intention to practice FGM. Special scoring systems were developed regarding knowledge and attitude. Results: The prevalence of FGM was 74.2%. Only 5.7% of females had a good level of knowledge, 65.3% had a favorable attitude regarding (i.e. were against) FGM, and 31.8% reported that they intended to practice FGM. Logistic regression models showed that younger age, rural area of residence, and level of education (illiteracy or just reading and writing) were significantly associated with a poor level of knowledge, and level of education, marital status, exposure to mutilation, and level of knowledge significantly affected their attitude. Significant predictors of females’ intention to practice were their mutilation experience, level of knowledge, and attitude and husband’s pressure to perform FGM. Conclusion: FGM remains common in Egypt. Poor knowledge and unfavorable attitude had a positive significant correlation, and both were among the predictors of females’ intention to practice mutilation. Males played a role in the continuation of practice in the community. Awareness campaigns and law enforcement may help reduce the practice of FGM in Egypt.

Knowledge, Attitude and Intention to Future Practice of Female Genital Mutilation among Medical Students, Egypt

Background:There is no medical indication for Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) a procedure with wide range of complications. In Egypt, around 50% of the population supports the practice; moreover, health care providers contrary to their original role in eliminating such harmful practice perform about 80% of the FGM. In Egypt, the knowledge and attitudes of medical students about FGM are questionable. Objectives: To explore the level of knowledge and attitudes towards FGM/C and identifying the possible predictors favouring its practice among medical students. Methods: A cross-sectional study, 630 medical students were included. Self-administered anonymous data collection form was used. Results: Females demonstrated significant higher knowledge score 4.5 (3.5-5.5) with more negative attitude towards FGM/C. Males with low knowledge score 5 (4.0-6.0) were the significant predictors for future FGM/C practice among the included sample.Conclusions: Medical students especially males are not sufficiently knowledgeable about FGM/C; some of them would perform FGM/C in their future practice

Towards the elimination of FGM by 2030: A statistical assessment.

In 2015, UN member states committed to eliminate female genital mutilation (FGM) by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Agenda. To reach this goal, interventions need to be targeted and guided by the best available evidence. To date, however, estimates of the number of girls and women affected by FGM and their trends over time and geographic space have been limited by the availability, specificity and quality of population-level data. We present new estimates based on all publicly available nationally representative surveys collected since the 1990s that contain both information on FGM status and on the age at which FGM occurred. Using survival analysis, we generate estimates of FGM risk by single year of age for all countries with available data, and for rural and urban areas separately. The likelihood of experiencing FGM has decreased at the global level, but progress has been starkly uneven between countries. The available data indicate no progress in reducing FGM risk in Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Mali and Guinea. In addition, rural and urban areas have diverged over the last two decades, with FGM declining more rapidly in urban areas. We describe limitations in the availability and quality of data on FGM occurrence and age-at-FGM. Based on current trends, the SDG goal of eliminating FGM by 2030 is out of reach, and the pace at which the practice is being abandoned would need to accelerate to eliminate FGM by 2030. The heterogeneity in trends between countries and rural vs urban areas offers an opportunity to contrast countries where FGM is in rapid decline and explore potential policy lessons and programmatic implications for countries where the practice of FGM appears to remain entrenched.

An Overview of Female Genital Mutilation in Africa: Are the Women Beneficiaries or Victims?

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a social phenomenon that is deeply rooted in African socio-cultural and religious facets. It covers a sequence of procedures carried out on the genitals of females of different ages, including total or partial removal of the female external genitalia or other injuries to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. Several studies have shown beyond a reasonable doubt that FGM is more of a detriment than benefit to the mutilated women. Hence, this review comprehensively presents the narratives and experience of African women about FGM with a focus on whether they are beneficiaries or victims of the practice.The method adopted involved searching for relevant studies through PubMed and Google Scholar databases coupled with some prominent internet materials. This method was done majorly to identify and utilize the best quality published studies on FGM in Africa.Having lent due credence to the relevant studies pooled together, it was established that the practice of FGM in the African continent is highly undesirable. It creates numerous health complications coupled with psychosocial, psychological, and psychosexual issues for the mutilated women. Prominent among these repercussions are infection, the formation of scarring and keloid, monthly menstrual difficulties, urinary symptoms, infertility, obstetric complications during pregnancy and labor, depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Despite these complications, it was revealed that FGM is still extant in many African countries. However, the fear of becoming a social outcast is the biggest hindrance facing anti-FGM campaigners.FGM is unequivocally a cankerworm that has eaten the freedom and wellbeing of African women, making them choiceless victims. Therefore, it is quite pertinent for governments and community leaders to provide medical support to the victims and fight the prevalence of FGM in their jurisdictions. This can be achieved through increased awareness about its adverse effects, women's education, and community shunning of the practice coupled with appropriate sanctioning of the erring members.

Knowledge, attitude, practice, and predictors of female genital mutilation in Degadamot district, Amhara regional state, Northwest Ethiopia, 2018

BackgroundFemale genital mutilation is defined as all procedures that involve partial or total removal of external female genitalia, or other injuries to the female genital organs for cultural and religious purposes. In Ethiopia, the prevalence of female genital mutilation practice was 70.8% according to Ethiopian demographic and health survey 2016. This practice is against females’ reproductive health rights with many serious consequences in physical, mental, social and psychological makeup. Therefore, this study aimed to assess knowledge, attitude, practice, and predictors of female genital mutilation in Degadamot district.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study design was conducted. Three hundred twenty-five mothers who had under 5 years old female children were selected using systematic random sampling from seven kebeles of Degadamot district. Data were collected using an adapted semi-structured face to face interview questionnaire. Data were entered into Epi-data version 3.1 and then exported to SPSS version 20 for analysis. Logistic regression analysis with 95% confidence intervals was carried out to determine the associations between predictor variables and outcome variables.ResultThe finding of this study revealed that 56.6% of mothers had good knowledge about female genital mutilation and 54.2% of participants had a favorable attitude about female genital mutilation. 70.8% of under 5 years old female children’s had female genital mutilation. Marital status AOR = 7.19(95%CI3.22–16.03), monthly income AOR = 1.97(95% CI 0.26–3.81), custom AOR = 2.13(95% CI 1.20–3.78), belief AOR =2.47(95% CI 1.39–4.39), value AOR = 0.37(95% CI 0.22–0.63), and attitude AOR = 24.4(95% CI 20.01–34.76) towards female genital mutilation had significant association with female genital mutilation practice.ConclusionPrevalence of FGM practices among female children of under 5 years of age was found to be high as compared to the national level (64%). 56.6% of mothers had good knowledge about FGM. The majority of the women had a favorable attitude to keep FGM practice among their under 5 years old daughters. Marital status, monthly income, custom, belief, value, and attitude had a significant association with FGM practice.

Female genital mutilation and contraceptive use: findings from the 2014 Egypt demographic health survey.

Female genital mutilation (FGM) includes procedures that remove partial or total external female genitalia, or causes other injury to female genital organs with no medical reason. Physical and psychological trauma associated with FGM may interfere with a woman's ability and intent to utilize contraception. Our study examines the association between FGM and utilization of contraception methods among sexually active reproductive-aged women in Egypt. Data from the 2014 Egypt Demographic and Health Survey were analyzed (n = 20,055). Multinomial logistic regression was used to obtain odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals. Our study found that FGM was performed on over 90% of Egyptian women and almost half (45%) of women did not use contraception. Women with FGM had significantly lower odds (OR = 0.6) of using barrier/natural contraceptive methods (e.g., condoms) than intrauterine devices (IUDs). However, women with FGM were more likely to use hormonal methods (OR = 1.2) than IUDs compared to those who had not experienced FGM. In order to promote women's health and support use of effective contraception methods, a large reduction in FGM practice is essential.

Leadership among Women Working to Eradicate Female Genital Mutilation: The Impact of Environmental Change in Transcultural Moments.

The study of cultural moments can identify the level of acceptance of female genital mutilation and the visibility of the involved health problems in a globalized world. Aims: To describe the transcultural process through which immigrant women who have experienced female genital mutilation become leaders against this practice. Method: Descriptive research with cross-cultural principles and a qualitative approach. A semi-structured interview was the chosen technique for data collection. A total of 18 women participated in the preliminary observation and analysis unit, and only 8 women (38.8%) were ideologically against female genital mutilation (FGM). Inclusion criteria: The selected women had undergone FGM and were fully prepared to discuss it. Results: Staying in a different country and the associated social relations reduce cultural pressure and promote critical thinking. Cultural moments reflect the different situations that affect the perception and practice of female genital mutilation. Health problems associated with female genital mutilation (sexual, reproductive, and psychological) become visible at transcultural moments. Conclusions: Environmental country change affects the cultural pressure that sustains this practice in individual minds, institutions, structures, and bodies. These changes produce transcultural moments. The practice of female genital mutilation constitutes a significant segment of gender-based violence.

The Opposite Impact of Laws Against Female Genital Cutting in Burkina Faso and Kenya

The practice of female genital mutilation (also called female circumcision) has deep roots in tradition. Nonetheless, governments in many countries, such as Burkina Faso and Kenya, have enacted laws designed to eradicate this practice. In this paper we seek to assess what impact these laws have had on the attitudes of potentially affected women in Burkina Faso and Kenya. We use a difference-in-difference model in which the interaction between the year the law was passed and the degree of exposure to media provides an exogenous variation. Our results indicate that there is a negative correlation between the introduction of the law and the probability of being opposed to FGM among individuals having been exposed to media in Burkina Faso. Conversely, this correlation is positive in Kenya. These results are robust to a variety of specifications and econometric tests. This difference between the results for the two countries may be attributable to divergences in the prevalence of FGM and in the types of institutions that predominate. Funding Statement: None to declare Declaration of Interests: None to declare

Understanding the healthcare needs of Sudanese refugee women settling in Australia

Objective: Explore the healthcare needs of Sudanese refugee women settling in Australia.Background: Refugees from Sudan are the fastest growing community in Australia. Nurses who care for people from the Sudan will be required to be familiar with the needs of this emerging community and offer culturally competent and safe care.Methods: Integrative review of the literature.Results: Sudan is one of the countries in Africa where the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM), cutting or circumcision is considered a social norm. This is a deeply rooted traditional cultural practice that is still prevalent in many developing countries. Healthcare professionals in Australia are ill equipped to care for women and children who have undergone this procedure. This paper explores the Sudanese refugee community in Shepparton, Victoria to explore the nursing considerations caring for women affected by FGM within the Australian health care context.Conclusions: There is a need for more education in undergraduate, postgraduate and continuing professional education on the healthcare needs of women who have undergone female genital mutilation in order to provide appropriate care and support for these women.