“FGM is a common term for various types of surgery of girls and women where external genital parts are partially or completely removed, or another type of permanent damage is caused, without medical grounds. »

FGM is a harmful act that is practiced in many countries in Africa and some countries in the Middle East. FGM is illegal in Norway. Norwegian authorities have initiated a number of measures against FGM. One of these is information campaign aimed at people with an immigrant background from countries that perform FGM. This information was created by and is available from the Norwegian Center for Violence and Traumatic Stress Studies (NKVTS). Intercultural health info (IHI) will make this information even more accessible to immigrants by informing on seminars and in appropriate meetings with certain people. In addition, this information may be available by going to the following links at NKVTS:

https://www.nkvts.no/sites/Veiviser-KL/Pages/default.aspx
https://www.nkvts.no/sites/Veiviser-KL/komplikasjon-kl/Pages/Brosjyrer.aspx

Prevention and treatment of FGM

The following excerpt is from the Directorate of Health:

Healthcare professionals should contribute to:

• preventing genital mutilation of girls who have come from countries where FGM is practiced

• the persons concerned are well informed about the ban, health consequences and health care in relation to female genital mutilation.

• the people who need it receive the necessary medical care and treatment in relation to female genital mutilation.

For the sake of a good conversation about female genital mutilation, it is important to ensure good information and communication. If the current user / patient has limited knowledge of Norwegian, this must be done through booking of a qualified interpreter .

You ca read more here: https://helsedirektoratet.no/asylsokere-flyktninger-og-innvandrere/forebygging-og-behandling-av-kjonnslemlestelse

RVTS North has started a process where they will revise the website Local mot: Local cooperation against honor-related violence, forced marriage and female genital mutilation . The target audience for the website is public health nurses, GPs and others who encounter this theme.

In that connection, Wolela Haile, general manager of Intercultural health info have shared her experience of working against female genital mutilation. This can be visited here:
https://vimeo.com/helsekompetanse/review/195588752/9656732f6f