The researcher from the USR Terres de l’Ebre at IDIAPJGol, Alessandra Queiroga, and the family doctors from the Institut Català de la Salut, Carolina Calero-Blázquez, Rou Sanchez Collado, and Carme Saperas Pérez, have participated in a study that recommends an intersectional approach to the challenges presented by the prevention and treatment of female genital mutilation (FGM/C) through the ISMiHealth tool. This research, published in the Journal of Travel Medicine, indicates that to improve care for women who have undergone this practice, it is necessary to recognize its complexity and stop understanding it as a cultural problem, approaching it from a perspective of gender, class, ethnicity, and migratory status. The ISMiHealth tool is a decision support system for family doctors to detect infectious diseases and cases of FGM/C among migrant women.
The study points out that one of the main problems in detecting and preventing FGM/C is that it is a taboo subject in many communities. Women who have undergone this type of mutilation often feel uncomfortable or ashamed to talk about their experience. There is a widespread fear among patients of being judged and discriminated against by professionals. Furthermore, this practice is not carried out in the same way everywhere. Differences in mutilations can pose a problem when identifying cases, as physical signs vary and are not always evident. The lack of clear detection protocols and the lack of knowledge about the complications associated with FGM/C greatly hinder diagnosis.
100,000 women at risk
It is estimated that in Spain there are about 100,000 women from countries where female genital mutilation (FGM/C) is practiced, mainly Senegal, Nigeria, Ghana, Mali, and Sudan. The latest data indicate that there are nearly 19,000 girls under 14 years old from these countries who are at risk of undergoing this practice.
Raising awareness among professionals
For this reason, the research team recommends that healthcare professionals be trained and sensitized to the implications of this practice and how to approach the subject with cultural sensitivity. The study suggests creating environments where women who have undergone FGM/C feel safe to talk about their experiences without fear of being judged. The ISMiHealth tool is a step towards creating these spaces. This research also recommends greater collaboration between institutions and between sectors such as health, education, and justice to address the problem comprehensively.
Public policies
Training and implementing intersectional protocols are important so that prevention and detection interventions for these practices are culturally appropriate and adapted to the social and economic realities of migrant women. This involves working in collaboration to develop effective strategies. The study advocates that these protocols be developed within the context of public health policies that recognize and address the specific needs of migrant women affected by FGM/C.
Article reference
Evangelidou S, Cuxart-Graell A, Zucchelli E, Gonçalves AQ, Cruz A, Sequeira E, Ndir B, Elafef E, Calero-Blazquez C, Collado RS, Perez CS, Requena-Méndez A. Female Genital Mutilation Among Migrants in Spain: Healthcare System Responses and Challenges. J Travel Med. 2024 Jun 19:taae085. doi: 10.1093/jtm/taae085. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38896034.
