Abstract
Due to increasing migration, European countries and their health services are more and more confronted with female genital mutilation (FGM) and its medical consequences. Physicians have not only to deal with a pure medical issue, but also with a culturally sensitive topic which raises several legal and ethical questions. The lack of knowledge of FGM prevents health care providers from providing adequate clinical care and counseling. This demonstrates the need for a proper education, starting in medical school in order to prevent new cases and to achieve a better supportive and culturally sensitive care of patients who present with FGM-related conditions and needs. On top of that, additional priorities need to be addressed: much confusion exists regarding reinfibulation and its legal status, medicalization, symbolic incisions, cosmetic vulvar and vaginal surgeries. To summarize a definite need does exist for an ethical, legal and medical discussion with all persons involved concerning these specific topics.
| Translated title of the contribution | Female genital mutilation, a story far away from home? Ethical, legal and clinical aspects of mutilated women in western countries |
|---|---|
| Original language | Dutch |
| Pages (from-to) | 237-241 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | Tijdschrift voor Geneeskunde |
| Volume | 67 |
| Issue number | 5 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2011 |
| Externally published | Yes |
