The WHO has published the new guidelines against female genital mutilations to curb the phenomenon and to form doctors, nurses and midwives with awareness campaigns also on men and boys
THE’World Health Organization (WHO) has spread a new document aimed at fight female genital mutilations, phenomenon that, according to the 2020 data, involved approximately 52 million women and girls victims of practices performed by health personnel.
An alarming figure, which represents approx One in four cases mutilation. Despite the progress recorded in countries such as Burkina Faso, Sierra Leone and Ethiopiawhere the practice has decreased up to 50% among teenagers in the last thirty years, every year 4 million girls they remain at risk.
The practice, which consists in the Removal or damage of the female genitals for non -medical reasonsis often performed on Girls before puberty. Even if conducted by health workers, it does not eliminate serious risks: on the contrary, it can cause even deeper and more serious damage, as well as risking legitimize mutilation in the eyes of the communities.
The new directives of the WHO
The relationship, entitled The Prevention of Female Genital Mutilation and Clinical Management of Complicationsasks urgent interventions To curb the phenomenon and for form doctors, nurses and midwives to become promoters of change, instead of executors of harmful practices.
As Pascale Altey, director of the sexual and reproductive health of the WHO and the HRP program, explained, female genital mutilation is a serious violation of the rights of girls e seriously endangers their health. Altey underlined the central role that health personnel must take on: prevent female genital mutilations and guarantee high quality care to survivors.
The guidelines just published by the WHO recommend that The ethical codes categorically prohibit the practice by healthcare professionals. Also invite to Training and awareness programs for medical staff, so that they can reject With decision any request and inform families on physical and psychological risks.
Second Christina ScrewWHO scientist and main author of the document, research shows that healthcare professionals can be an influential leader of opinion in changing the attitude towards female genital mutilations. In addition to the intervention in the health sector, the WHO underlines the need for, contrast policies And awareness campaigns also aimed at Men and boysto change the rooted cultural beliefs.
The document also offers clinical recommendations to guarantee continuous and empathetic care to the survivors, including psychological supportmanagement of obstetric complications and, where necessary, reparative surgery.
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