Medicalisation of FGM
The medicalisation of FGM refers to “situations in which these mutilations are performed by any category of health personnel, whether in a public or private dispensary, at home, or elsewhere” (World Health Organization, 2010). This includes doctors, physician assistants, clinicians, nurses, midwives, trained traditional birth attendants, and other personnel responsible for providing healthcare to the population in both the private and public sectors, as well as retired health workers who continue to perform FGM (ibid, 2010).
The UNICEF report highlights field observations that were part of the discussion within the CoP FGM, particularly on the thematic; MEDICALISATION OF FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION in 2020, which noted an increasing trend on the medicalisation of FGM.
Despite global condemnation, the medicalisation of female genital mutilation remains a significant issue. This procedure is considered a means to legitimise the practice of FGM, although it does not reduce its harmful effects. The data shows that medicalisation is prevalent and widespread in countries such as Sudan and Egypt, where medical practitioners (doctors and nurses) are involved, while in most other countries, traditional practices remain the norm.