Female Genital Mutilation DARF baseline study in Glasgow and Edinburgh on beliefs, views and experiences of female genital mutilation April 2010

What is FGM? “FGM comprises all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.” (A joint WHO/UNICEF/UNFPA statement 1997)

How common is FGM? WHO estimates the number of girls who have undergone genital mutilation globally at between 100 and 140 million, with a further 3 million girls at risk annually. FGM is practiced in 28 African countries. Instances have also occurred worldwide.

FGM is an issue for Scotland as immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers from Africa have began to settle here. It is estimated there are around 74,000 women in the UK who have gone through the procedure.

To date there are no definitive statistics on FGM in the UK It is estimated that about 7000 girls are at risk (Home Office, 2003)

Legislation Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation (Scotland) Act 2005 An offence for UK nationals or permanent residents to carry out, or aid and abet, female genital mutilation in the UK and abroad. Maximum penalty 14 years imprisonment.

It is important to have an understanding of the socio-cultural significance of FGM to ensure the issue is dealt with sensitively and appropriately. Many participants said that they would be unwilling to disclose information regarding FGM to health workers and to the general public – fear of being regarded as “uncivilised” by non FGM practicing communities, and of being excluded from their own community.

Male beliefs and views 50% view FGM as an obsolete tradition 17% says FGM violates the rights and dignity of the women subjected to the procedure 13% FGM aids penetration 12% felt FGM makes women ‘more respectable’ 8% viewed FGM as a bad practice

Female beliefs and views 32% believed FGM is a bad practice 23% FGM is traditional and part of cultural heritage 11% FGM ‘helps to stop promiscuity’ 9% FGM degrades women’s dignity and is unacceptable 9% FGM is a good practice 5% believed that women who have had FGM did it voluntary 4% FGM acceptable as ‘rite of passage for marriage’ provided it is carried out in a hospital

The survey showed that the overriding factor for carrying out FGM was it’s perceived role in the prevention of promiscuity. Other reasons include: Hygiene A rite of passage to womanhood. A cause for celebration Necessary to prepare for marriage. More value may be placed on a woman who has undergone FGM Religious reasons (although the practice is not mandatory for either Christians or Muslims)

Implications of FGM on women’s lives Childbirth complications Self stigmatisation Problems passing urine Cysts Bleeding Loss of libido / painful sexual experience Infections Bitterness / resentment towards family members

DARF Dignity Alert and Research Forum 30 Westburn Grove Edinburgh EH14 2AS