Female genital cutting or circumcision (FGC)
Female genital cutting or circumcision (FGC)
Female genital cutting or circumcision (FGC) involves the cutting or altering of the external female genital organs. FGC is a traditional cultural practice rather than a religious practice, and its origins are unknown.
The practice can be found in communities and certain ethnic groups in Africa, the Middle East, Asia and South America.
According to the World Health Organization, around 200 million women across the globe are affected, with around three million girls undergoing the procedure every year. Estimates suggest that there are around 120,000 migrant women in Australia who experienced FGC in their country of birth.
In Victoria, you may hear the term female genital mutilation (FGM). It is important that you inform your health professional about your preferred term to describe your particular situation or experience.
Different types of female genital cutting
The different types of FGC are classified by the extent of the practice involved. They include:
Type I
– clitoridectomy, or ‘sunna’. The hood of skin that sits over the clitoris (prepuce) is removed. The clitoris may or may not be removed in part or in total.
Type II
– clitoridectomy, ‘sunna’ or excision and circumcision. The entire clitoris is removed. The inner lips (labia minora) are either partially or totally removed.
Type III
– infibulation or ‘Pharaonic’ circumcision. The removal of all or part of the labia minora and labia majora, with the stitching of a seal across the vagina, leaving a small opening for the passage of urine and menstrual blood.
Type IV
– other practices including piercing, cauterising, scraping or using corrosive substances designed to scar and narrow the vagina.
Health impacts of female genital cutting
FGC has no health benefit to women and girls, and it can have negative impacts on sexual and reproductive health.
There may be immediate and long-term negative health impacts including:
severe pain
bleeding
shock
infection
death
scarring and
cysts
blocked flow of urine
urinary incontinence
recurring
urinary tract infections
infections of the pelvis
increased risk of
infertility
painful sexual intercourse
reduced sexual enjoyment
post-traumatic stress syndrome
, including nightmares and flashbacks
depression
social isolation
childbirth difficulties
, such as severe tearing and haemorrhage
chronic
anxiety
.
What the law says about Female genital cutting in Victoria
Female genital cutting is illegal in Victoria and across Australia, in all circumstances. Taking a person outside Victoria to another state or territory or overseas for this procedure is also illegal. The maximum penalty in Victoria is 15 years imprisonment.
It’s also against the law to perform re-infibulation after childbirth to narrow or close the vaginal opening. Restitching immediately after childbirth by a doctor or midwife is only performed for tearing.
De-infibulation after FGC
The operation to reopen the vagina is called de-infibulation. In Australia, de-infibulation is considered to be a form of corrective surgery, and is performed by a gynecologist (specialist in women’s reproductive system), a nurse or midwife.
In Victoria, the
African Women’s
Clinic
External Link
at the Royal Women’s Hospital offers the de-infibulation procedure for pregnant and non-pregnant women. Other public and private hospitals may also offer these services. If you have a Medicare card, you can access a public hospital for de-infibulation free of charge.
Where to get help
The Victorian Government provides funding for clinical and non-clinical services for women and communities. There is a range of support services for women, girls and families in Victoria.
Name of the service
Contact details
Services offered
Banyule Community Health
21 Alamein Road, West Heidelberg, Vic, 3081
Tel:
(03) 9450 2000
Ask for the FARREP Worker or Health Promotion Team Leader
Healthcare support, education and options for women who have experienced FGC.
cohealth
External Link
:
Collingwood, Kensington, Werribee
365 Hoddle Street, Collingwood, Vic 3066
Tel:
(03) 9448 5828
Community education and information about FGC and reproductive health.
Working/co-design with men/boys in the communities
Darebin Council Youth Services
274 Gower Street, Preston, VIC, 3072
Tel:
(03) 8470 8001
Community education with secondary schools in the Darebin local government area
Annual teacher information sessions about FGC
Weekly homework club
Mercy Hospital for Women
163 Studley Road, Heidelberg, VIC, 3084
Tel:
(03) 8458 4150
De-infibulation for pregnant and non-pregnant women
Healthcare support for women who have experienced FGC.
Monash Health – South East Public Health Unit (SEPHU)
700 Springvale Road, Mulgrave 3170
Tel:
(03) 9792 7945
Ask for FARREP Team Leader
Email:
healthpromotion@monashhealth.org
Capacity building training for communities and health professionals
Health promotion
Primary and secondary prevention.
Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health
134 Cambridge Street, Carringbush Building, Collingwood, VIC, 3066
Tel:
(03) 9418 0999
or
1800 656 421
(toll free)
Health promotion
Community education
Referral to services
Multilingual information and resources
Support for women and communities.
Royal Women’s Hospital
20 Flemington Road (Cnr Grattan Street), Parkville 3052
Family Reproductive Rights Education Program
Tel:
(03) 8345 3058
Email:
Farrep.Program@thewomens.org.au
African Women’s Clinic
Tel:
(03) 8345 3058
Email:
africanwomensclinic@thewomens.org.au
For women of all ages who have experienced FGC.
Support for pregnant and non-pregnant women to think about options for reversing their circumcision
De-infibulation
Women’s Health in the North
266 Raglan Street, Preston, VIC 3072
Tel:
(03) 9484 1666
Education for communities and healthcare professionals to increase awareness of FGC
Access to culturally sensitive support and services for women and girls who have experienced or are at risk of FGC, including appropriate referral pathways
GenWest
317-319 Barkly Street, Footscray, VIC, 3011
Tel:
1800 436 937
FARREP workers use culturally appropriate resources to facilitate women’s health and wellbeing sessions with women and girls from communities that are known to practise FGC.