Survey to build knowledge of female genital mutilation
Debbie Hearnden
Friday, August 28, 2009
The government is encouraging medical professionals to complete a survey throughout September to increase its knowledge of female genital mutilation (FGM).
The study of FGM, also known as female genital cutting, will be used to identify the need for extra training for health professionals and provide information to improve sexual health services. It will also feed into the government's plans to confront violence against women and girls.
A department of health spokesperson said: "Female genital mutilation is an extremely harmful practice and is illegal. It violates women's most basic human rights."
Sarah McCulloch, director of ACCM (UK), a charity helping vulnerable communities, said: "If the survey finds that health professionals are seeing enough cases of FGM specialist clinics and training programmes could be introduced."
According to information from social workers and healthcare agencies, around 24,000 girls in the UK face the possibility of undergoing this practice. It is a process that removes all female genitalia causing serious bleeding, infections and sometimes death. It has no health benefits.
Health workers who specialise in maternity, obstetrics gynaecology and sexual health can complete an online form to help with research.
The findings will be published in 2010 in a cross-government strategy addressing violence against young women and girls.
