Addressing FGM/C and its Medicalisation as a Global Health Emergency

Addressing FGM/C and its Medicalisation as a Global Health Emergency

Over 230 million women and girls worldwide are survivors of FGM/C, the procedure causing lifelong complications - chronic pain, infections, complications in childbirth, and psychological trauma – with new evidence from WHO confirming its devastating impact on women’s health. Alarmingly, one in four FGM/C survivors were cut by health workers, reflecting a growing trend of medicalisation that poses a major barrier to eliminating the practice. The involvement of health professionals gives the perception of legitimacy to this violence and undermines global prevention efforts and reinforces its continuation. Research from the University of Birmingham has also linked FGM/C to increased mortality rates. Despite this, FGM/C is not perceived as a global health emergency.

By convening a diverse group of stakeholders, this session will aim to discuss the urgent and under-recognized health crisis of FGM/C and discuss strategies to scale-up interventions.