Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Flashcards
What is Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)?
Procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons
In what groups are Female Genital Mutations usually carried out in?
- Usually young girls (infancy to aged 15)
- Most commonly before puberty starts
Why is FGM commonly carried out?
Cultural, religious and social reasons within families and communities
Who are these procedures usually carried out by?
What kind of tools are used?
- Women with no medical training
- Without anaesthetic or antiseptics and using non-medical tools e.g. scissors or knives
Are there any health benefits to FGM?
No
What are the long-term consequences of FGM?
- Chronic vaginal and pelvic infections
- Difficulty passing urine + UTIs
- Infertility
- Kidney problems
- Complications in pregnancy
- Psychological damage
What are the signs and symptoms of FGM?
- Difficulty walking
- Spending longer than normal in the toilet
- Depression
When do pharmacists have a mandatory legal duty to report, orally or in writing, FGM?
- They observe physical signs of FGM in a girl under 18 years old
- A child/young person tells them that they have had FGM
Who needs to be informed if FGM has taken place?
The police
Which legislative frameworks dictate the guidelines surrounding FGM?
Is FGM an illegal practice?
- Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003
- Yes, offenders could face up to 14 years in prison
- It is also illegal to take a child abroad for FGM
