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Female Genital Mutilation Program
Instruments used to perform FGM
Age when the practice is carried out
The Law and FGM in Western Australia
Female genital mutilation (FGM) is defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as comprising 'all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the female genitalia and/or injury to the female genital organs for cultural or any other non-therapeutic reasons'.
Types of FGM
The World Health Organisation has developed four broad categories of FGM operations.
| Type 1 | Excision (removal) of the clitoral hood (prepuce) with or without removal of part or the entire clitoris. |
| Type 2 | Removal of the clitoris together with part or all of the labia minora. |
| Type 3 | Removal of part or all of the external genitalia (clitoris, labia minora, and labia majora) and stitching and/or narrowing of the vaginal opening (infibulations) leaving a small hole for urine and menstrual flow. |
| Type 4 | Unclassified, including:
|
Communities Practicing FGM
FGM is practiced by communities in more than 40 countries throughout the world including communities in African countries, the southern parts of the Arab Peninsula, along the Persian Gulf and South East Asia. Some communities in a country practice FGM, but it should not be assumed a woman will have undergone the procedure because of her country of birth.
Why is FGM Practised?
FGM is performed for various cultural reasons including as a rite of passage into womanhood and as a means of preserving a girl's virginity until marriage.
Christians, Muslims and non-believers alike practice FGM. It is important to note however that neither the Bible nor the Koran subscribes to the practice of FGM and that FGM predates Islam, Christianity, and Judaism.
Instruments Used to Perform FGM
Traditional birth attendants may use unsterilised equipment such as scissors, pieces of glass, razor blades or sharp stone.
Age When the Practice is Carried Out
The age at which the practice is carried out varies depending on the community and their beliefs. It may be performed on newborn girls, during infancy or childhood, at the time of marriage or during their first pregnancy. Most commonly, the practice is carried out on girls between the ages of 4 and 10 years.
What Are the Effects?
FGM causes immediate and long term physical, psychological and sexual problems. It may include intense pain and/or haemorrhage that can lead to shock during and after the procedure to increased risk of infertility as a result of tubal damage.
What Are the Health Needs?
The health needs of women who have undergone FGM will differ. However they may need, regular gynaecological check-ups, counselling, intensive pre-natal and post-natal care, restorative surgery, menopausal care and access to female health care workers and centres.
The Law and FGM in Western Australia
FGM is covered by the Criminal Code Amendment Bill 2003 which came into effect in April 2004. An addition to Section 306 of the Criminal Code identifies FGM as a crime. FGM is the collective term given for traditional practices that involve cutting of the external female genitalia.
It can lead to 20 years imprisonment if the procedure is done in Western Australia. A person who takes a child from Western Australia with the intention of having the child subjected to FGM is guilty of a crime and is liable to imprisonment for 10 years.
Further information on FGM
www.ranzcog.edu.au
www.amnesty.org
www.rainbo.org
