www.educationscotland.gov.uk
Female Genital
Mutilation
(FGM)
- a Child Protection issue
Transforming lives through learning
What is FGM?
All procedures which involve the partial or total
removal of the external genitalia or injury to the
female genital organs whether for cultural or
any other non-medical reasons
The World Health Organisation
These procedures are illegal in Scotland
Transforming lives through learning
Why does FGM occur?
Justifications for FGM may include:
• custom and tradition
• social acceptance, especially for marriage
• family honor
• a sense of belonging to the group and conversely the fear of social
exclusion
• cultural identity – a tribal initiation into adulthood
• religion, in the mistaken belief that it is a religious requirement
• preserving virginity / chastity
• hygiene and cleanliness
• enhancing fertility
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Who is at risk?
• it is estimated 2 million girls around the world
every year are affected
• mainly girls from Africa and the Middle East, but
also some girls in the immigrant population of
Europe, America and Australia
• girls aged between 4 and 14 are most at risk but
older or younger girls could also be at risk
Transforming lives through learning
Prevalence of FGM in Africa
source UNICEF (2013)
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In Scotland, the figures are far
less clear. Currently, there is no
reliable estimate of prevalence of
FGM in Scotland.
Source: Scottish Refugee Council, Parliamentary Briefing,
February 2014
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Possible indications that FGM may
be about to take place
A child from a community that is known to perform
FGM may :
• talk about going on a special holiday to a
country where the procedure is prevalent
• confide that she is to have a “special procedure”
or celebration
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Possible indications that FGM may
have already taken place
A child from a community known to perform FGM may :
• spend long periods of time away from the classroom
during the day with bladder or menstrual problems
• have prolonged absences from school plus a noticeable
behaviour change
• seek to be excused from physical exercise without the
support of their GP
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What do I do?
• FGM is a Child Protection issue
• Follow your Child Protection
procedures
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Find out more
Tackling Violence Against Women
www.womenssupportproject.co.uk/vawtraining/content/fem
alegenitalmutilation/277,234
National child protection guidelines
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2014/05/3052/0
Transforming lives through learning
www.educationscotland.gov.uk
Transforming lives through learning