Cultural explanations and procedures about female genital mutilation

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is used interchangeably with other terms such as female genital cutting (FGC) and female circumcision (FC). However, FGM is used by the World Health Organization (WHO 1998) to portray the extent of the seriousness of the practice and the significant physical, emotional, mental and sexual trauma associated with the procedure. It is a cultural procedure unfamiliar to many healthcare providers in western countries such as Australia. Due to international migration of women living with the consequences of this practice, nurses and midwives face the challenge of caring for an increasing number of women living with anatomically different female genitalia. FGM is reported as a foreign concept to western health providers and engaging circumcised women in meaningful discussion that can lead to attitudinal change towards the practice is challenging (Ogunsiji 2015). This challenge is due to limited understanding of the cultural issues that underpin the practice and the inhumane experience of the women who undertake the procedure. Gaining insight into the cultural issues that inform FGM and the associated procedures will empower nurses, midwives and other health providers in Australia and other western countries in educating affected women and girls against the practice. This will contribute to the global effort at eradicating the practice.