Folleto informativo sobre las consecuencias de la mutilación genital femenina sobre la salud de las mujeres y las niñas y cómo actuar ante ella, en inglés

1. Misconceptions
about excision / female genital mutilation:
1/
They say FGM is prescribed by religion:
Inreality,noreligionimposesFGM.
Itoriginatesfromcustomsthatexistedbefore
religions.Itisn’tmentionedintheQuran.
2/
They say it’s necessary to ensure the
purity and virginity of girls and the
fidelity of wives…
Inreality,aperson’ssexualconductdepends
onhis/herprinciplesandvaluesandhas
nothingtodowithhavingapartofhis/her
bodycut.
3/
They say FGM makes women more
fertile:
Onthecontrary;FGMmaycausegenital
infectionsthatmakewomeninfertile.
Childbirthcanbemorecomplicatedandcause
foetaldistress.Itincreasesthelikelihoodof
havingaCaesarean.
4/
They say you should respect customs
and traditions:
Inreality,somecustomsandtraditionsare
goodforyourhealth,whileothersarevery
dangerousandhavetochangelikefemale
genitalmutilation.
5/
They say it’s good for girls:
On the contrary; it’s good to protect girls
from any damage they might suffer.
Avoiding a practice that has harmful,
lifelong consequences for the health and
well-being of girls and women is a
tremendous act of love.
for the Health
ofWomen and Children
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Weworktoensurethewell-beingoffamilies
ASSOCIATION OF PUBLIC INTEREST
C/ Manuel Cortina, 10, bajo dcha. 28010 Madrid
Tel.: 91 446 31 62/50
unaf@unaf.org | www.unaf.org
www.stopmutilacion.org

2. Have you heard of the practice of female
genital mutilation (FGM) or do you know
what it is?
Female genital mutilation, also known as cutting, excision or
circumcision, isapracticethatconsistsoffullyorpartiallycutting
the genitals of girls and women, causing lifelong damage to their
physicalandmentalhealth.
Do you know what health consequences it has?
• Deathbytraumaticshock,infectionandhaemorrhaging
• RiskofHIVtransmission
• Fistulas,kidneycomplicationsandverypainfulmenstruation
• Urinaryinfections,painaroundthescar,inflammation
• Infertility
• Increasedmaternalmortality,foetaldistressandinfantmortality
• Anxiety,depression,lowself-esteem,fear,andthefeelingofhaving
beenbetrayedbythepeopleyouloveandtrust
• Painduringsexualintercourse,andreducedsensitivityandpleasure
What can you do if you or another
woman you know are affected by female
genital mutilation?
Ifyou’vesufferedfemalegenitalmutilation,informyourfamily
doctor, nurse or midwife, so that they can offer you the
support and care you need. Always remember that nobody’s
going to judge you; you’ll be treated with respect and provided
withalltheinformationandcareyouneed.
Ifyouneedsomebodywhospeaksyourlanguagetohelpyou
communicate,youcanrequestthis.
If you’re concerned about a girl of any
age who might be at risk of female
genital mutilation...
Youcanspeaktoyour:
•Familydoctor
•Nurse
•Midwife
•Socialworker
•Teacher
You can also get in touch with associations and NGOs like
UNAF:+3491.446.31.62/50orMédicosdelMundo(Spain)+34
91.315.60.94
Ifyouhaveanemergency,youcancall:
016(hotlineforvictimsofgender-basedviolence)
062(teléfonodeemergenciasdelaGuardiaCivil).
Female genital mutilation (excision, cutting…) is a form of violence against
womenandaviolationoftheirhumanrights,andtherearelawsthatprohibit
thepracticeinmanycountries.
SpainhasaLawAgainstGender-BasedViolence,whichprovidesresources
andprotectionforwomenandgirls.
Youcancall016.
FemalegenitalmutilationisalsoprohibitedinSpainandpunishablebylaw:
Offenderscanbesentencedto6to12yearsinprisonandlosecustodyover
their daughters.The law is equally enforced against persons who are invol-
ved in any way by organising or mediating in such practices, and it is also
enforcedwhensuchactsareultimatelyperformedoutsideSpain.
Lastly,womenandgirlsaffectedbyfemalegenitalmutilationoratriskofthe
practice have the right to seek asylum in Spain for gender-related reasons.
Youcancall+34915550698(CEAR).
Many people have stopped practising FGM
around the world
Traditions are the customs, beliefs and values of a community that are
passeddownfromgenerationtogeneration.Acommunity’straditionscan
changeovertheyearsasaresultofitsnewknowledgeandexperiences.
At least 5 million men and women from 1,900 communities in over 16
African countries have stopped the traditional practice of female genital
mutilation,becausethey’verealisedit’sharmfultothehealthandlivesof
women,girlsandtheentirecommunity.
Youtoocanhelptostopthepracticeinyourcommunity.
Laws
What to do...