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Female genital mutilation (FGM)

Useful information and links for health professionals and travellers about Female Genital Mutilation

Key points

• The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that more than 200 million girls and women worldwide have been affected by female genital mutilation (FGM).
• FGM has no health benefits. It can lead to immediate health risks, as well as long-term complications to women's physical, mental and sexual health and wellbeing.
• Children born in the UK may be at risk of FGM if they travel with their families to visit friends and relatives in countries where this practice occurs.
• In the United Kingdon (UK) it is against the law to perform FGM or to take girls and young women living in the UK abroad for FGM.
• UK health professionals have a legal duty to report if they discover FGM has already taken place or if a child is believed to be at risk of FGM. Failure to do this can result in disciplinary procedures through the appropriate health professional regulatory body under "Fitness to Practise" proceedings.

Resources

• Department of Health and Social Care. FGM mandatory reporting in healthcare
• HM Government. Multi-agency statutory guidance on female genital mutilation
• Home Office: Female genital mutilation: resource pack
• Office for Health Improvement and Disparities: Female genital mutilation (FGM): migrant health guide
• Royal College of Nursing: FGM guidance for travel health services
• Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, Faculty of Travel Medicine: FGM eLearning module
• World Health Organization: Female genital mutilation