International day of zero tolerance for female genital mutilation
Female genital mutilation (FGM) comprises of all procedures that involve altering or injuring the female genitalia for non-medical reasons and is recognised internationally as a violation of the human rights of girls and women, and it’s estimated that at least 200 million girls and women across the globe have undergone some form of FGM.
FGM is mostly carried out on young girls between infancy and the age of 15 and can cause severe bleeding and health issues including cysts, infections, infertility as well as complications in childbirth and increased risk of newborn deaths.
Here at our Women’s Hospital, Renata Hanif is a Specialist Midwife for Female Genital Mutilation and helps support women who have undergone FGM.
Renata said: “I’m proud to be able to offer women in Birmingham this safe space.
“Female genital mutilation can be traumatic for those involved, so it’s important that we offer a culturally sensitive and non-judgmental environment.
“Our clinic runs once a week and is held within our Specialist Midwives Clinic for Vulnerable Women, where we see both pregnant and non-pregnant people and everyone has an opportunity to share and talk about their lived experience in a safe environment.”
Renata has been dedicated to the specialist FGM service since 2016 to help victims of Female Genital Mutilation. Birmingham Women’s Hospital provides Midwife and Obstetric Led service for women who have undergone FGM, and the clinic runs once a week within the Specialist Midwives Clinic for Vulnerable Women.
The service is run by Renata and Dr Fidan Israfilbayli, Consultant Obstetrician, and works closely with the obstetric Department and offers women clinical assessment to identify the type of FGM and the plan of care for birth as well as offering and providing de-infibulation services for women under local anesthesia.
There are other nationalist specialist services that can offer support for those affected by female genital mutilation:
- NSPCC’s dedicated FGM helpline — 0800 028 3550
- The Dahlia Project FGM Support and Counselling Service — telephone 020 7281 8970
