Violence Against Women and Girls Flashcards
What is female genital mutilation?
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) comprises all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs for cultural or non-medical reasons
What are the types of FGM?
Type 1 – Clitoridectomy: partial or total removal of the clitoris and, in very rare cases, only the prepuce
Type 2 – Excision: partial or total removal of the clitoris and the labia minora, with or without excision of the labia majora
Type 3 – Infibulation: narrowing of the vaginal opening through the creation of a covering seal. The seal is formed by cutting and repositioning the inner, or outer, labia, with or without removal of the clitoris. Sometimes referred to as Pharaonic circumcision.
Type 4 – Other: all other harmful procedures to the female genitalia for non-medical purposes, e.g. pricking, piercing, incising, scraping and cauterising the genital area
What is de-infibulation?
The surgical operation to open the vagina after type 3 FGM
What is re-infibulation?
Re-infibulation is the re-stitching of type 3 FGM following childbirth. Re-infibulation is illegal in the UK as it constitutes FGM.
What are some justifications proposed for FGM?
- Preservation of virginity and chastity
- Religion, in the mistaken belief that it is a religious requirement
- Social acceptance
- Fear of social exclusion
- To ensure the girl is marriageable or to improve marriage prospect
- Hygiene and cleanliness
- Increasing sexual pleasure for the male
- Family honour
- Enhancing fertility
Who is most at risk of FGM?
FGM is mostly carried out on young girls between birth and the age of 15, but can also be done on adult women. FGM is most common in Africa and the middle east
What are the short term health impacts of FGM?
- Severe pain and shock
- Infection
- Injury to adjacent tissues
- Sprains, dislocations, broken bones or internal injuries from being restrained
- Immediate fatal haemorrhaging
- Infection by blood borne virus
What are the longterm health impacts of FGM?
- Urine retention and difficulties in menstruation
- Uterine, vaginal and pelvic infections
- Cysts and neuromas
- Complications in pregnancy and childbirth
- Increased risk of fistula
- On-going impact of trauma / ptsd
- Sexual dysfunction
What are the psychological effects of FGM?
- Post traumatic symptoms
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Fear of Intimacy
- Loss of Trust
- Unresolved Anger
- Nightmares
- Flashbacks – especially associated with sexual intercourse and childbirth
What are the risk factors for FGM?
- Mother has had FGM
- Older sister or cousin has had FGM
- Mother and/or father has requested re-infibulation following delivery
- Parents express views that suggest they value the practice
- Girl is withdrawn from education
What are the signs of imminent risk of FGM?
- A girl is withdrawn from school to allow for an extended holiday, or a girl talks about a long trip planned during the school summer holidays
- There is no evidence to date that FGM takes place in Scotland but it may be possible that families will arrange for FGM to happen in the UK. It is thought that a visit from a female family elder is an indicator of risk, particularly when she is visiting from the country of origin
- A girl may talk about “something special happening”, or that there will be “a big party” or “she is going to be a woman soon”
- If forced marriage is suspected or known then risk of FGM should also be addressed where the girl comes from a group that traditionally practices FGM
