ACN acknowledges the work of nurses and midwives who work in partnership with girls and women who have undergone, or are at risk of, female genital mutilation (FGM). FGM refers to any procedure involving the removal or cutting of female genitals for non-medical reasons. For women and children, it is a violation of human rights causing serious consequences to their physical, mental and sexual well-being.
According to the United Nations, FGM is still practised in more than 25 countries around the world. Whilst Australia has zero tolerance to the practice, of the 125 million girls and women from around the world living with the consequences of FGM, approximately 100,000 now reside in Australia.
If current trends continue, about 86 million additional girls worldwide will be subjected to FGM by 2030, therefore raising awareness, among health professionals as well as the general public, about this extreme form of discrimination against women, is critical.
Australian nurses and midwives are often the first health professionals to identify women and girls affected by, or at risk of, FGM. They have a responsibility to ensure women receive culturally appropriate care and referral.
“Health professionals must uphold the commitment to zero tolerance of FGM, while ensuring that women and girls who have experienced FGM are provided with culturally-appropriate care in a safe and supportive environment,” says ACN ceo Debra Thoms (pictured left).
The procedure itself can result in death from hemorrhagic shock or septicaemia. Depending on the extent of the cutting, the long-term effects may include pain, menstrual and urinary problems, recurrent infections, scar tissue formation, impaired sexual response and anxiety and depression. Women who have undergone FGM may also be at increased risk for adverse events during childbirth.
ACN and the Australian College of Midwives have launched an online portal, http://zadro.cmail1.com/t/r-l-qavx-ihluihkiyu-t/ FGM Learning, for the dissemination of professional resources related to FGM.
FGM Learning is a national hub where nurses, midwives and other health professionals can access reliable sources of information about FGM in order to inform the care they provide to women and girls affected by the practice. The web site also includes a forum for health professionals to network with each other and identify gaps in current knowledge and opportunities for collaboration.
“The FGM Learning web site links health professionals to the broad range of existing resources about FGM in Australia and around the world. As this resource grows, it will make a significant contribution to improving health professionals’ knowledge and skills in this area.”
ACN acknowledges the work of nurses and midwives who work in partnership with girls and women who have undergone, or are at risk of, female genital mutilation (FGM). FGM refers to any procedure involving the removal or cutting of female genitals for non-medical reasons. For women and children, it is a violation of human rights causing serious consequences to their physical, mental and sexual well-being.
According to the United Nations, FGM is still practised in more than 25 countries around the world. Whilst Australia has zero tolerance to the practice, of the 125 million girls and women from around the world living with the consequences of FGM, approximately 100,000 now reside in Australia.
If current trends continue, about 86 million additional girls worldwide will be subjected to FGM by 2030, therefore raising awareness, among health professionals as well as the general public, about this extreme form of discrimination against women, is critical.
Australian nurses and midwives are often the first health professionals to identify women and girls affected by, or at risk of, FGM. They have a responsibility to ensure women receive culturally appropriate care and referral.
“Health professionals must uphold the commitment to zero tolerance of FGM, while ensuring that women and girls who have experienced FGM are provided with culturally-appropriate care in a safe and supportive environment,” says ACN ceo Debra Thoms (pictured left).
The procedure itself can result in death from hemorrhagic shock or septicaemia. Depending on the extent of the cutting, the long-term effects may include pain, menstrual and urinary problems, recurrent infections, scar tissue formation, impaired sexual response and anxiety and depression. Women who have undergone FGM may also be at increased risk for adverse events during childbirth.
ACN and the Australian College of Midwives have launched an online portal, http://zadro.cmail1.com/t/r-l-qavx-ihluihkiyu-t/ FGM Learning, for the dissemination of professional resources related to FGM.
FGM Learning is a national hub where nurses, midwives and other health professionals can access reliable sources of information about FGM in order to inform the care they provide to women and girls affected by the practice. The web site also includes a forum for health professionals to network with each other and identify gaps in current knowledge and opportunities for collaboration.
“The FGM Learning web site links health professionals to the broad range of existing resources about FGM in Australia and around the world. As this resource grows, it will make a significant contribution to improving health professionals’ knowledge and skills in this area.”
“Health professionals must uphold the commitment to zero tolerance of FGM, while ensuring that women and girls who have experienced FGM are provided with culturally-appropriate care in a safe and supportive environment,” says ACN ceo Debra Thoms (pictured left).
