PROJECTS
The SA Program for the Prevention of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) commenced in February 1997 and has been based at Women’s Health Statewide since June 2002. It is part of an Australia-wide education strategy funded by the Commonwealth Government to provide education about FGM and the Australian legislation that prohibits the practice.
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) or Female Circumcision is defined by the World Health Organisation as: “all procedures, involving the partial or total removal of the external female external genitalia and/or injury to the female genital organs for cultural or any other non-therapeutic reasons” (WHO 1996). Contrary to a widespread perception, FGM is a traditional, cultural and ritualised practice, it is not a religious one.
The Project Officer of the FGM project works collaboratively with peer Community Facilitators. Together they provide education and support to the affected communities. They also provide training to health and welfare service providers, police, teachers, students and the wider mainstream society.
Further information about the FGM project can be obtained by contacting the Project Officer. Project Resources in English, Arabic, Amharic, Somali and Tigrinya can be read and downloaded from our publications section.
Further reading on the topic is available at:
www.ranzcog.edu.au
www.forward.dircon.co.uk/welcome.htm
