The Struggle Against Female Genital Mutilation/Female Circumcision

Abstract

The number of immigrants in Europe from African communities affected by female genital mutilation (FGM) is unknown. Several European countries developed activities to combat FGM on four levels: European policy, health care, academic, and community. The European Network towards the Prevention of FGM has been set up to coordinate activities at all levels. The European Network aims to: (1) exchange information and experiences at the community level; (2) harmonize various training guidelines for health professionals and guidelines for caring of women with FGM; and (3) harmonize research efforts in Europe. The outcomes of the first year of the European Network are: (1) a draft of a manual for a “model of good practice;” (2) a framework to develop training guidelines for health care professionals and a framework to develop guidelines for caring of women with FGM; and (3) an agenda with research priorities on FGM, focusing on the European context.