Zero Tolerance to FGM Day – 6th February 2024
We recently celebrated Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Day by hosting a national stakeholder event! Our conversations revolved around an issue that is very important to us: Do YOU think that FGM survivors in the UK should have access to reconstructive surgery and psychosexual therapy?
ACERS-UK (Advocating Access to Clitoral reconstruction surgery and Emotional support for FGM Survivors within a Research framework) is a project led by a passionate group of FGM survivors, charity workers, and health care professionals with a shared goal of establishing a national FGM reconstruction service that not only offers surgery but also provides emotional support, psychosexual therapy, and a range of other tailored treatments.
The availability of reconstruction surgery and psychosexual therapy for FGM survivors is standard practice in several European countries such as Germany, France, Switzerland, Netherlands, Belgium, Italy and Spain, in Africa (Egypt, Burkino Faso, Kenya) and parts of the USA. However, such services are conspicuously absent in the UK. While the NHS does offer a procedure known as ‘de-infibulation’ for women who have undergone FGM Type 3 (or pharaonic circumcision), which involves the opening of scar tissue to uncover the urinary and vaginal openings, this falls short of comprehensive care. This gap in services can detrimentally impact FGM survivors’ quality of life and mental health.
Despite providing gender reassignment surgery, labiaplasty, and post-cancer vulva reconstruction, the NHS does not afford FGM survivors the same level of patient choice. It is imperative that we address this glaring health disparity promptly. Ensuring the availability of optimal treatment options for FGM survivors is an integral aspect of the #EndFGM campaign.
We had four amazing presentations given by ACERS-UK members;
What is reconstruction surgery? Why it should be available in the UK? – presentation by Juliet Albert and Huda Mohammed (FGM Specialist midwives)
How psychosexual therapy will be integrated into the new service? – presentation by Natasha Anderson-Foster (psychosexual therapist)
FORWARD launched their research: “Diaspora Change Makers in the Global Movement to End FGM: Exploring Experiences, Motivations, and Impact” Presented by Naana Otoo-Oyortey MBE
And Janet Fyle MBE from the Royal College of Midwives launched our parliamentary petition
We also held group discussions to gather stakeholder views on the potential introduction of reconstruction surgery, within a holistic model of care, by the NHS in the UK.
It was a fruitful gathering filled with engaging conversations and, of course, plenty of delicious food enjoyed by all!
Photo Story Recap
Full event Recap
Join the campaign. Click the button below to sign our Petition!
For more information about the ACERS-UK project, please feel free to reach out to Juliet at juliet.albert@nhs.net.
Thank you for your interest and participation in this important dialogue!
Responses