Female Circumcision in Australia

What Is A Female Circumcision

Female genital circumcision or female genital cutting (FGC) is the alteration or cutting of the external female reproductive organs. FGC is more a cultural practice than a religious one, and its origins are unknown.

The World Health Organization estimates that around 200 million women worldwide are affected. Three million girls undergo the procedure each year. According to estimates, around 120,000 migrant Australian women have had FGC in their home country.

You may have heard the term FGM (female genital mutilation) in Victoria. Your preferred term for describing your situation or experience is important to share with your doctor.

Different types of Female Genital Cutting

FGC can be classified according to the amount of practice involved. These include:

  • Type 1 – Clitoridectomy or’sunna. The hood of the skin that covers the clitoris (prepuce) is removed. The clitoris can be completely or partially removed.
  • Type 2 – Clitoridectomy,’ sunna’ or excision, and circumcision. The entire clitoris must be removed. The inner lips (labia majora) can be either completely or partially removed.
  • Type III Infibulation, or ‘Pharaonic’ circumcision. Removal of all or part of the labia minora or majora. Stitches are used to seal the vagina. This allows for urine and menstrual blood to pass through the small opening.
  • Type IV Other practices include piercing and cauterizing the vagina and scraping or using corrosive chemicals to narrow and scare it.

Female genital cutting has health implications.

FGC is not good for women or girls and can cause problems with sexual and reproductive health.

These can have long-term and immediate negative effects on your health.

  • Severe pain
  • Bleeding
  • Shock
  • Infection
  • Death
  • Scarring and cysts
  • The blocked flow of urine
  • Urinary incontinence
  • Recurrent urinary tract infections
  • Infections of the pelvis
  • Increased risk of infertility
  • painful sexual intercourse
  • reduced sexual enjoyment
  • Post-traumatic stress syndrome includes flashbacks and nightmares.
  • Depression
  • Social isolation
  • Childbirth problems, such as bleeding and severe tearing, can occur during childbirth.
  • Chronic anxiety.

What the law says about female genital cutting in Victoria

In Victoria and Australia in general, female genital cutting are illegal. Taking a person from Victoria to another territory, state, or country for this procedure is illegal. Victoria’s maximum sentence is 15 years imprisonment.

Re-infibulation is also prohibited after childbirth. It can be used to close or narrow the vaginal opening. A doctor can do only tearing after childbirth.

De-infibulation after FGC

De-infibulation is the operation to reopen the uterus. De-infibulation, also known as corrective surgery in Australia, is performed by either a gynecologist (specialist on women’s reproductive systems), a nurse, a midwife, or a nurse.

 

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