What is it about?
The article reviews midwives' roles in caring for women who have experienced FGM. It highlights significant gaps in midwives' knowledge and training, stressing the urgent need for enhanced education to improve care and support for FGM survivors, ultimately aiming to enhance overall healthcare outcomes.
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Why is it important?
This article is pivotal as it uncovers critical deficiencies in midwives' understanding of FGM, which are essential for providing proper care. Addressing these gaps through targeted training can lead to better health outcomes for FGM survivors. Moreover, well-trained midwives are crucial in advocating against FGM, educating communities, and supporting efforts to eradicate this practice. Enhancing midwives' knowledge and skills not only improves individual patient care but also strengthens the broader healthcare system's ability to handle FGM-related issues effectively, promoting long-term health and well-being for affected women and girls. What is unique and timely about this work is its comprehensive analysis of recent studies (2010-2020), providing current insights into midwifery education on FGM. As awareness of FGM increases globally, this article offers timely recommendations for improving midwife training, potentially influencing policy changes and educational curriculums. By addressing these gaps now, the article can contribute to immediate improvements in care quality and advocacy efforts, making a significant difference in the lives of FGM survivors and helping to prevent future cases.
Perspectives
From a healthcare perspective, the article emphasises the need for comprehensive training for midwives on FGM. It advocates for improved education, cultural sensitivity, and effective communication to better support and care for women who have undergone FGM, ultimately contributing to better healthcare practices. From a personal perspective, the article underscores the importance of viewing midwifery as not just a clinical role but also as a crucial point of contact for advocacy and education on FGM. Midwives, with adequate training, can become powerful agents of change, helping to shift cultural norms and protect future generations from the harms of FGM. This dual role of caregiver and advocate is essential for fostering a more informed and compassionate approach to women's health, where every midwife is equipped not only to treat but also to educate and prevent FGM. I believe this publication can spark much-needed dialogue and action within the healthcare community, encouraging more comprehensive and empathetic care for FGM survivors.
Ladan Abdirashid Musse
Brunel University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Midwives' knowledge, education and training in providing care to women with female genital mutilation, British Journal of Midwifery, May 2023, Mark Allen Group,
DOI: 10.12968/bjom.2023.31.5.278.
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Resources
What is FGM?
What is FGM? What are the four types of FGM? Female Genital Mutilation comprises all procedures involving the removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons, as defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO). See link for more details.
UNICEF FGM Statistics and Prevalence
FGM statistics and it’s prevalence in the the world.
FGM An RCN resource for nursing and midwifery practice
Clinical professional resource.
Contributors
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