Female Genital Mutilation

Statement of belief

The International Confederation of Midwives believes that practices which are harmful to the health of women or infant should be eliminated. The Confederation endorses the definition and classification of Female Genital Mutilation as adopted by the World Health Organisation, United Nations Children’s Fund, and the United Nations Fund for Population Activities, which is as follows:

Definition

Female genital mutilation comprises all procedures involving partial or total removal of the female external genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs whether for cultural or any other non-therapeutic reasons.

Classification

Type I Excision of the prepuce with or without excision of part or all of the clitoris;

Type II Excision of the clitoris with partial or total excision of the labia

minora;

Type III Excision of part or all of the external genitalia and stitching/narrowing of the vaginal opening (infibulation);

Type IV Unclassified

· pricking, piercing or incising of the clitoris and/or labia

· stretching of the clitoris and/or labia

· cauterisation by burning of the clitoris and surrounding tissues

· scraping of the vaginal orifice (angurya cuts) or cutting of the vagina (gishiri cuts)

· introduction of corrosive substances or herbs into the vagina to cause bleeding, or for the purposes of tightening or narrowing it.

· and any other procedure that falls under the definition of female genital mutilation given above.

Policy

The International Confederation of Midwives acknowledges there is a need for more extensive research on the physical and psychological impact on the health of girls and women who have undergone this procedure and urges all midwives to contribute to such research.

The International Confederation of Midwives resolves to:

· advocate, on behalf of women and midwives, for the elimination of

female genital mutilation worldwide in the many international venues

where the Confederation functions.

· support Member Associations which seek to eliminate female genital

mutilation in their country.

· provide opportunities for midwives who attend the Confederation’s

International Congresses or Conferences to gain better knowledge of

the practice and its health consequences.

· join with other international and national organisations, both

governmental and non-governmental, in the adoption of appropriate

policies, strategies, and, where possible, in the drafting of legislation

for the elimination of female genital mutilation.

· that midwifery organisations are urged to promote that midwives do

not perform female genital mutilation.

Guiding Statement to Member Associations

Member Associations are urged if they have not already done so, to adopt a policy which is in harmony with this statement.

References

- Female Genital Mutilation, report of a WHO Technical Working Group,

July, 1995.

- Female Genital Mutilation, an Overview, WHO Geneva 1998

- Joint Statement WHO/UNICEF/UNFPA 1997

- Management of pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period in the presence of female genital mutilation. Report of a WHO Technical Consultation, Geneva, 15-17 October 1997.

- Regional plan of action to accelerate the elimination of Female Genital

Mutilation in Africa, WHO 1997.

Adopted by the International Confederation of Midwives Council, Manila, May 1999.

Date for review: 2005