Female circumcision is the deliberate cutting or altering of the external female genital organs. Female circumcision is sometimes referred to as Female Genital Cutting or Female Genital Mutilation/ Cutting. FGM/C has no health benefit to women and girls and can have an impact on their sexual and reproductive health.
The practice of FGM/C is illegal in every state and territory of Australia. This includes performing FGM/C on a child that lives in Australia while they are overseas. Each state and territory has its own version of these laws. There are serious consequences for practising FGM/C in Australia.
In Australia female circumcision carries a penalty of up to 21 years imprisonment.
There can be short and long term health impacts of female circumcision. These may include:
The origin of Female Circumcision is unknown and has no religious significance. Types of female circumcision vary between communities and ethnic groups. Countries around the world are abandoning the practice and making it illegal. It is important for us to talk about our cultural practices. We love our culture but we can leave behind practices that can cause harm.
To have control over and protect our own bodies, we all need to be treated with dignity and respect. This is everyone’s right as a human being. There is support, advice and information available across all states and territories on female circumcision in Australia. See below to contact your nearest service provider:
Linda George
Senior Health Education Officer
NSW Education Program on FGM
T: 02 9840 3910
linda.george@health.nsw.gov.auKirsten Thompson
Nurse
Family Planning & Welfare
T: 08 8948 0144
kirsten.thompson@fpwnt.com.auOdette Tewfik
Multicultural Women’s Health Project Coordinator
True: Relationships & Reproductive Health
T: 07 3250 0250
odette.tewfik@true.org.auXavier Lane-Mullins
Community Development Worker
Red Cross
T: 03 6235 6001
xlanemullins@redcross.org.auMichou Kadima
Community Development Worker
Red Cross
T: 03 6326 0400
mkadima@redcross.org.auKim Voss
Social Worker
Women’s Health Central
T: 08 8444 0700
kim.voss@health.sa.gov.auMedina Idriess
FARREP Worker
Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health
T: 1800 656 421
medina@mcwh.com.auCarol Kaplanian
FGM & FDV Research
Project Officer
Women and Newborn
Health Service
T: 08 9340 1557
carol.kaplanian@health.wa.gov.auCopyright © NETFA 2016
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