Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) And Promoting Child Safety

National Conference on Responding to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and Promoting Child Safety, 14-15 November 2005

The Multicultural Women’s Health Project at Family Planning Queensland organised a two-day national conference, to promote and encourage respect for women’s rights and the elimination of violence against women and girls. In this context FGM is seen as an example of physical, sexual and psychological violence occurring against women and girls.

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a practice identified by the World Health Organisation in 1995 as “all procedures involving the partial or total removal of the external genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs whether for cultural or non-therapeutic reasons”. This practice can result in profound physical and mental health issues for females, throughout their life.

The conference provided an opportunity for respected community elders and leaders to contribute to the opening of communication and dialogue within their communities. The conference has discussed strategies to engage communities more effectively and contribute to the eradication of FGM and the increase in child safety.

The conference was a good opportunity for health services to participate in discussion and develop strategies to work more effectively CALD communities.

The conference covered three major areas:

• Challenging belief that FGM is a religious practice. – Key people and religious leaders in both the Muslim and Christian community explained the religious view that there is no validation of the practice of FGM in the Koran or Bible.
• Human rights approach to women and children’s health and safety. – Keynote speakers addressed the legal, ethical frameworks of duty of care, and international and Australian models of intervention.
• Multicultural approaches to health service provision. – Key leaders from major hospitals, and community practitioners spoke about models of service provision and challenges of developing effective engagement of affected communities.

Conference participants have received a copy of proceedings in electronic format on CD including keynote speakers and workshops presentations.

A DVD which includes the presentations of each keynote speaker is also available for purchase from FPQ.

For information please contact: fgm@fpq.com.au or contact the project officer at 07 3250 0240 .