[Prevention of female genital mutilation in Sweden]

A three-year pilot study of female genital mutilation has been carried out at Gothenburg. There is increasing awareness of this issue, and discussions have started between immigrants and health-care professionals. By means of further information and education it is hoped to improve care of the victims, and in the long-term to eliminate a pernicious tradition. It is estimated that there are approximately 115 million victims of female genital mutilation in Africa alone. As a result of emigration, about 5000 young women from areas where it is practised are now to be found in Europe, and 16,000 in Sweden.