February’s Search Pack of the Month commemorates the United Nations’ International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation.
Today, February 6, marks the United Nations’ International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). This day feeds into a global movement to reaffirm FGM as a serious human rights violation and to strengthen collective action to support survivors and prevent harm. It is also a reminder of the unique role that midwives and maternity support workers hold in identifying FGM, providing trauma-informed care and supporting women who are living with the lifelong impact of FGM.
The theme for 2026 is ‘Towards 2030: No End to FGM Without Sustained Commitment and Investment’, highlighting the need for governments, communities and individuals to continue to support survivors, educate on risks and prevalence, and fight for a world without FGM. We have chosen our Search Pack of the Month to be ‘L29: Female Genital Mutilation’ to promote the continued education of maternity health professionals about the latest research on FGM, aligning with this year’s theme.
What is female genital mutilation?
FGM refers to all procedures involving the partial or total removal of external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs, for non-medical reasons. It is most commonly carried out on girls between infancy and the age of 15, and has no health benefits. Instead, it can cause significant physical and psychological harm, both immediate and long-term, including pain, infection, difficulties with menstruation, sexual health complications, mental health trauma, and increased risks during pregnancy and childbirth.
FGM is recognised internationally as a violation of human rights. In the UK it is considered a form of child abuse and violence against women and girls, and has been a criminal offence since 1985.
The role of the midwife in identifying female genital mutilation and supporting survivors
Midwives are often the first healthcare professionals to have in-depth, ongoing contact with women affected by FGM, placing them at the heart of both care and prevention. Appointments are a safe place for survivors of FGM to be cared for, and the compassionate, non-stigmatising care of midwives can make a profound difference.
Pregnancy and birth can re-trigger trauma associated with FGM: emotional support, clear explanation and a respect for cultural identity (while reaffirming FGM as harmful) ensures that the dignity of survivors is maintained.
In the UK, healthcare professionals have a mandatory duty to alert authorities of suspected FGM in girls under the age of 18. Women above this age should be signposted to services offering support and advice. Read the government’s guidance on reporting FGM at the link below.
What are MIDIRS Search Packs?
Our Search Packs are pre-made literature searches on topics within maternity research. They contain a comprehensive bibliographic list of articles as well as article abstracts. MIDIRS subscribers can find all of our Search Packs on the MIC database by searching for the specific number of a Search Pack. You can find a list of all of our Search Packs (and their corresponding numbers) here. If you require a more specific search, our librarians are also on hand to provide bespoke literature searches. You can order a bespoke search on our Products and Services page.
Access our free Search Pack for February, ‘L29: Female Genital Mutilation’, at the link below.
Take a look back at articles discussing female genital mutilation that have featured in past editions of MIDIRS Midwifery Digest:
‘Information paralysis regarding female genital mutilation.’ Carol McCormick (September 2014)
Globally, female genital mutilation (FGM), also known as genital cutting/female circumcision, is recognised as a form of sexual violence against women and girls, and is therefore a human rights issue. Yet paradoxically and almost universally it is under-reported due to the perceived cultural sensitivity of the subject mater. Nevertheless, the
literature is replete with information that provides a global overview of the definition, types, physical, emotional, social and psychosexual consequences of FGM. This paper will not revisit these areas but aim to discuss the legal and wider professional ramifications that midwives need to consider during pregnancy, labour and puerperium, when screening for or caring for a woman with FGM, regardless of its type.
‘Female genital mutilation: the role of the midwife.’ Juliet Albert (June 2016)
Caring for a woman with female genital mutilation (FGM) is something that many midwives in the United Kingdom (UK) experience at some stage during their practice. In areas of high prevalence, the management of women with FGM is well-established, but there are some parts of the UK where it may be something that is seen very infrequently, or not at all. All midwives, however, need to be knowledgeable about FGM and the impact that this has on the health of the women and girls who are affected or at risk.
‘Midwives’ experiences of providing intrapartum care to women with female genital mutilation.’ Maria Bajada, Georgette Spiteri (June 2022)
Introduction: Female genital mutilation (FGM) involves the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia for non-medical reasons. Due to the increasing numbers of migrants from countries where female genital mutilation is performed, European midwives are facing new challenges when providing intrapartum care to these women. Therefore, this study aimed to explore midwives’ experiences of providing intrapartum care to women with FGM.
Methods: A qualitative research paradigm was used. A self-designed semi-structured interview schedule was undertaken to elicit data from six midwives who were recruited via purposive sampling. All participants worked at a delivery suite and were directly involved in intrapartum care. Thematic analysis was then undertaken on the interview data.
Results: Midwives lacked knowledge of FGM which leads to a lack of confidence when providing these women with intrapartum care. Midwives experienced many challenges and described feelings of shock, uncertainty and fear when providing intrapartum care to these women. Midwives described difficulty when performing invasive intrapartum procedures. Communication also featured as another challenge when caring for women with FGM in labour.
Conclusion: As the primary caregivers of women in labour midwives need to feel competent in the care they are providing to all women in an attempt to improve outcomes but also to increase job satisfaction. This study highlights the importance of increasing the knowledge surrounding FGM among midwives as well as improving the communication between midwives and these women.
To read these papers in full, plus hundreds more midwifery-related articles, subscribe to MIDIRS and access our full MIC database, as well as our quarterly Digest.
