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Medicalized Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting: Contentious Practices and Persistent Debates
Samuel Kimani1, Bettina Shell-Duncan2
11Africa Coordinating Centre for Abandonment of FGM/C (ACCAF), University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya.
Current Sexual Health Reports
|March 16, 2018
Summary
Medicalization of female genital cutting/mutilation (FGM/C) by health professionals is debated for safety and its impact on declining FGM/C rates. Open dialogue is crucial for protecting girls
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Medical Ethics
- Sociology
Background:
- Female genital cutting/mutilation (FGM/C) is a global health issue with significant ethical and social dimensions.
- Medicalization of FGM/C, where health professionals perform the procedure, and debates on reducing cutting severity are proposed as harm-reduction strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically assess the evidence and key debates surrounding the medicalization of FGM/C.
- To explore the motivations and implications of health professionals' involvement in FGM/C.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and synthesis of existing research on FGM/C medicalization.
- Analysis of ethical considerations and competing rights claims related to FGM/C.
Main Results:
- Medicalization of FGM/C is observed globally, particularly in Africa, with health professionals facing requests to perform the procedure.
- The impact of medicalization on the decline of FGM/C rates remains unclear, with safety concerns cited as a motivator.
- Health professional involvement in FGM/C advocacy presents ethical dilemmas regarding dual loyalty.
Conclusions:
- Polarizing debates on FGM/C medicalization have yielded limited resolution.
- A focus on shared goals for protecting girls' health and welfare in communities practicing FGM/C is recommended.
- Encouraging more informed and open dialogue is essential for addressing FGM/C.
Keywords:
Female genital cuttingFemale genital mutilationHarm reductionHealth care providersMedicalizationMore Related Videos
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