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The history of campaigns against female genital mutilation (FGM) began in the 1920s. From the beginning, it was recognised that FGM was considered an important rite of passage between childhood and adulthood for girls, based on the importance of controlling female sexuality to maintain chastity and family honour, and to make girls marriageable. How to separate the “cut” from these deeply held norms is a question not yet adequately answered, yet I believe the answer is key to stopping the practice. Since the 1994 ICPD, national and international action against FGM has grown and resolutions have been passed in global forums which define FGM as a form of violence and a violation of children’s human rights. These resolutions have contributed to building consensus against FGM and developing national legislation criminalising FGM. Prosecutions or arrests involving FGM have been reported in several African countries and Great Britain, but apart from France, there have been very few. This paper summarises this history and how FGM has been criminalised. It argues that criminalisation may not be the best means of stopping FGM, but can have serious harmful effects itself. It calls for community-led educational information and more support for dialogue within FGM-practising communities, and argues that what is important is addressing the sexual and reproductive health consequences of FGM and gaining the understanding of women who have experienced it and their families as to why they should not make their daughters and grand-daughters go through it too. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To synthesize knowledge, attitudes and experiences of health professionals about Female Genital Mutilation. Background Despite the World Health Organization campaigning to stop FGM, and it being illegal in many countries, the practice remains common in some countries and cultures. Migration has contributed to the growth of this practice in countries where it was not previously carried out. Design Mixed-method synthesis. Data sources Search of ten electronic databases: 2006-2014. Manual scanning of reference lists and summary feeds from international organizations such as WHO, UN and UNICEF. Review methods Thematic synthesis comparing country of origin where the practice was common with country of residence where migrant women affected by the practice reside. 17 included descriptive, quantitative, qualitative studies and grey literature studies in English or Spanish. Results Seven themes were developed: Ignorance of FGM practice and its consequences; Lack of adherence to FGM protocols and guidelines; Socially constructed acceptance of FGM; Ignorance of legislation and legal status of FGM; Condoning, sanctioning or supporting FGM; Lack of information and training; Nurses and Midwives as key to protecting and supporting girls and women Conclusions Although some nurses and midwives are in the forefront of eradicating FGM this is counterbalanced by health professionals (including nurses and midwives) who condone, sanction or support the practice with some calling for medicalization of FGM as a legitimate procedure. Girls at risk need better protection and women affected need more competent and cultural care from health professionals. Health and legal systems, professional regulation and governance, and professional training require strengthening to eradicate FGM, prevent the medicalization of FGM as an acceptable procedure, and to better manage the lifelong consequences for affected girls and women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Female Genital Cutting (FGC), the practice of cutting, sewing and altering the genitals of girl children, is a significant global human rights issue, with two to three million girls subjected to it annually. Prevalence is concentrated in twenty-seven northern African countries and Yemen, and, with migration, it is also present in Western countries. It is a highly emotionally charged and contested issue. Globally, activists and communities, including those within practising countries, argue that it causes severe and irreparable harm to girls and women. It is understood as abuse and a violation of the 'best interests of the child'. Yet, within practising communities, FGC is generally believed to be 'in the best interests of the [girl] child'. The writers contend that social workers, child welfare and health professionals in Western countries should be equipped to assist residents from practising communities to recognise the harm, change attitudes and practices, and together ensure the protection of their girls from this form of abuse. Drawing on international literature, this article addresses FGC prevalence and harm, its cultural and social bases and effective prevention strategies internationally, together with strategies for practitioners to harness communities' commitment to their children's best interests by abandoning FGC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]