The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) condemns the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM).
FGM is defined as all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs, whether for cultural or other non-therapeutic reasons.
FGM is illegal and banned in the UK under the Female Genital Mutilation Act of 2003.
The RCOG’s clinical guidelines on FGM provide information on the care of women and identify the support that is needed.
Three million girls in the world are estimated to be at risk of FGM each year1 and around 20,000 girls are from the UK2.
Immediate consequences of FGM include severe pain, haemorrhage, infection and death. There are also possible maternal consequences which include increased likelihood of caesarean section, fear of childbirth, extended hospital stay and increased likelihood of postpartum haemorrhage.
Tony Falconer, President of the RCOG said:
“Female genital mutilation can cause long-term physical and emotional health problems including difficulty in giving birth and infertility.
“The recent Taskforce on Violence against Women and Children undertaken by the Department of Health is an important step in further understanding female genital mutilation, raising awareness of it and improving care.
“It is vital that trained medical and midwifery staff and interpreters can be brought together to provide obstetrical and gynaecological advice and treatment for female genital mutilation.”
Friday 4 February
Notes
1 WHO ‘Eliminating female genital mutilation: an interagency statement’ (2008)
2 Dorkenoo E, Morrison L, MacFarlane A. A Statistical Study to estimate the Prevalence of Female Genital Mutilation in England and Wales. Summary Report. London: Forward; 2007.
The RCOG Greentop Clinical Guideline Female Genital Mutilation and its Management (revised 2009) can be found here.