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Dossier Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) pdf icon

 

Female genital mutilation (FGM) has been recognised as a human rights violation and a form of child abuse. Like other forms of gender-based violence it constitutes a violation of the right to life, the right to be free from physical and psychological harm, the right to (reproductive and sexual) health and the protection against gender discrimination.

 

Definition and terminology

Female genital mutilation is the partly or total removal or other injury to the external female genitalia for non-medical reasons. The term «female genital mutilation » (FGM) has been established internationally.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) distinguishes four different types of FGM: 

  1. «Clitoridectomy»: Partial or complete removal of the clitoris and/or the prepuce.
  2. «Excision»: Partial or complete removal of the clitoris and the labia minora with or without the removal of the labia majora.
  3. «Infibulation» / «Pharaonic incision»: Partial or complete removal of the external genitalia and stitching up the skin that is left leaving only a tiny opening.
  4. Diverse, non-classified practices such as pricking, cutting or tearing of the clitoris.

The type of FGM varies according to region and practising communities. The age at which FGM is performed also varies. It is usually done on girls between the age of 0 and 15 years. But there are also communities where adult women are cut.

FGM is an intervention that cannot be reversed. It can have a number of short-term or long-term complications for the physical and psychological health of the girls and women (pain, bleeding, infections, scarring, cysts, incontinence, infertility, problems with sexuality and birth and many more). Women and girls can also die from the results of FGM.

According to UNICEF there are today more than 125 million women living with the results of genital mutilation. It is most common in Western, Eastern and Northeastern regions of Africa, some Asian countries and in the Near East and also affects women migrants from those countries in the whole world.

 

The causes and backgrounds of FGM

The causes and reasons behind FGM are manifold and complex. They vary according to the communities and regions, where it is practised. But for all of them FGM is a deeply rooted tradition and a social norm within their community. It puts pressure on families and forces them to fulfill the expectations of their relatives and their communities.

Despite the severe short- and long-term physical and psychological consequences FGM is often carried out, because it is believed that this is better for the girl. FGM needs to be seen in connection with society wanting to control female sexuality and a number of beliefs and fears. FGM is a very sensitive issue that is often taboo in the affected communities.

In the context of migration FGM can also be used for creating a connection to the country of origin and to keep up the cultural identity. The origin of FGM is not clear and there are only few confirmed sources. Today it is believed that FGM goes back to the patriarchal and hierarchical societies of old Egypt. FGM is therefore a tradition that has been cemented over millennia.

FGM Genitalverstümmlung Karte Verbreitung

Map on the prevalence of FGM by Woman Stats Project.

 

FGM in Switzerland

The Federal Office for Health estimates that in 2013 there were 13'000 women and girls living in Switzerland, who have either undergone FGM or are at risk to be mutilated.

Migrants from countries where FGM is prevalent often have to fight against numerous difficulties in Switzerland. An insecure residence status, an insecure financial situation and discrimination at various levels make integration difficult. For many of them FGM is only one of many problems, if it is seen as a problem at all. In some families these insecurities can lead to them wanting to hold on to traditions from their home country, even if it puts the life and health of their girls in grave danger.

Women affected by FGM can have characteristic physical and psychological problems and needs which demand a specific treatment. In Switzerland, however, there are only few counseling services specialised in FGM, although an adequate support is very important for the women concerned: inadequate reactions can re-traumatise and feel like stigmatisation.

Apart from the fact that there are women with FGM living in Switzerland, it also needs to be taken into account that there are girls at risk living here, who might be cut either here or abroad. Professionals working in the areas of health, asylum, integration, child care, schools, child protection, advisory services and authorities are confronted with women and girls affected or at risk. These professionals face great challenges and many of them still lack the necessary knowhow.

 

Legal situation

FGM is prohibited in Switzerland. Up until 2012 FGM constituted minor or severe bodily injury according to art. 122 or 123 of the Swiss Penal Law (StGB). In 2012, art. 124 has been added, which is explicitly prohibiting FGM: According to art. 124 StGB it is punishable to «mutilate the genitals of a female person, who impairs their natural function substantially and permanently or damages them in another way». Perpetrators can be penalized with up to 10 years of prison, which makes FGM an offence liable to public prosecution. Perpetrators can be punished, no matter where they carried out the offence or whether it is punishable in that country. This is meant to prevent girls to be taken abroad for mutilation. Furthermore, FGM has been recognised as gender-based persecution, but in practice FGM is rarely recognised as motive for asylum.

 

TERRE DES FEMMES Switzerland active against FGM

TERRE DES FEMMES Switzerland supports and advises women and girls affected by FGM as well as professionals and institutions. We help to give a first assessment of the situation and put them in contact with local services and experts, if possible.

We work together with affected communities and support them in their prevention work. For this we developed the film «Information on FGM»  in five languages and the prevention leaflet for migrants «We protect our daughters» in seven languages. We also organise events. 

Additionally, TERRE DES FEMMES Switzerland offers trainings and information events for professionals who are confronted with FGM in their work. We also offer a travelling exhibition «Schnitt ins Leben. Weibliche Genitalverstümmelung – auch in der Schweiz». 

We support research and scientific work.

TERRE DES FEMMES Switzerland campaigns decision makers for overcoming gender-based violence and for adequate services for women affected by it. Furthermore, we take stands on consultation processes and legal bills at national level and in multilateral processes. TERRE DES FEMMES Switzerland writes expert reports for individuals who find themselves in asylum procedures.

TERRE DES FEMMES Switzerland is member of the national working group against female genital cutting in Switzerland (AG FGM). The working group was founded in 2012, on initiative of various non-state and state actors. The purpose of the working group is to create a stronger network and exchange as well as to co-ordinate the development of basic research and practical recommendations on FGM in Switzerland. TERRE DES FEMMES Switzerland published the survey «Bestandesaufnahme über die bestehenden Massnahmen gegen weibliche Genitalverstümmelung (FGM) in der Schweiz in den Bereichen Prävention, Unterstützung und Schutz» in this function. It lists all activities against female genital mutilation in Switzerland and shows the future need for action. The survey has been published in a short version in German and French and can be downloaded. The long version is only available in German and can be ordered through our office.

 

Demands by TERRE DES FEMMES Switzerland

Female genital mutilation is a difficult issue, for the girls and women affected as well as for professionals who get into contact with them. It can be very emotional and taboo. The knowledge and the discussion around FGM is indispensable, however, if FGM is to be eradicated forever. It needs

  • an institutionalisation of the issue at all levels in order to tackle FGM nationwide and comprehensively. The issue has to be included in already existing structures wherever possible, so that synergies regarding content as well as finances can be created and sustainability ensured.
  • a stronger regional and national network to work on the issue nationwide and comprehensively.
  • an increased support of the community based prevention with behaviour-change approaches as well as accessible and culturally sensitive counseling services for migrants.
  • an increasing inclusion of change agents trained on FGM.
  • men to be taken into account as a target group and actors in prevention work.
  • improved access to FGM-specific services, in particular for migrants with insecure residence status. the real recognition of FGM as motive for asylum.
  • raised awareness among professionals and institutions. One of the issues here is that FGM should be seen in the context of child abuse and domestic violence and should be acted upon accordingly. The issue needs to be included in the curriculum. Furthermore, trainings and coaching need to be offered for professionals and institutions.
  • the collection of data and the development of indicators to measure the impact of activities for a monitoring of the situation of FGM in Switzerland.
  • the supply of adequate financial and personal resources.
  • the development of a comprehensive and co-ordinated strategy to pool all those measures.

You can find our detailed position in the position paper on FGM.

In discussions around FGM, TERRE DES FEMMES Switzerland believes it is also necessary to highlight and question interventions that change the genitals which are carried out in our own culture. This is why we wrote a position paper on cosmetic genital operations.