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Review article: Biomedical intelligence

Vol. 141 No. 0102 (2011)

Care of women with female genital mutilation/cutting

  • J Abdulcadir
  • C Margairaz
  • M Boulvain
  • O Irion
DOI
https://doi.org/10.4414/smw.2011.13137
Cite this as:
Swiss Med Wkly. 2011;141:w13137
Published
03.01.2011

Summary

In multi-ethnic European society medical professionals are faced with an increasing number of women originating from countries where female genital mutilations/cuttings (FGM/C) are practised. Recent studies, however, emphasise the lack of knowledge on this subject. This review article aims to present FGM/C as a complex socio-healthcare and multidisciplinary issue, outlining the definition, classification, epidemiology and anthropologico-legal aspects of FGM/C. It explains the approach to be adopted to FGM/C women, focusing on defibulation, clitoral restoration/repair and re-infibulation. Finally, it reports on the discussions surrounding pricking/nicking and the proposals for alternative rituals in recent years.

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