Female Circumcision - Female Genital

Mutilation; Study Results from Flinders

University of South Australia in the Area of
Female Genital Mutilation Reported (Injured
bodies, damaged lives: experiences and
narratives of Kenyan women with obstetric
fistula and Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting)
Publication info: Women's Health Weekly ; Atlanta [Atlanta]27 Apr 2017: 1986.

ProQuest document link

ABSTRACT (ENGLISH)
According to news originating from Bedford Park, Australia, by NewsRx correspondents, research stated, "It is well
acknowledged that Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C/C) leads to medical, psychological and
sociocultural sequels. According to the news editors, the research concluded: "In addition, the policy makers need
to be in the front line to improve the lives of women who endured the consequences of FGM/C." Bedford Park,
Australia, Australia and New Zealand, Female Genital Mutilation, Female Circumcision, Women's Health,...

FULL TEXT
2017 APR 27 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Women's Health Weekly -- Fresh data on Female
Circumcision - Female Genital Mutilation are presented in a new report. According to news originating from
Bedford Park, Australia, by NewsRx correspondents, research stated, "It is well acknowledged that Female Genital
Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C/C) leads to medical, psychological and sociocultural sequels. Over 200 million cases of
FGM/C exist globally, and in Kenya alone, a total of 12,418,000 (28%) of women have undergone FGM/C, making
the practice not only a significant national, but also a global health catastrophe."

Our news journalists obtained a quote from the research from the Flinders University of South Australia, "FGM/C is
rooted in patriarchal and traditional cultures as a communal experience signifying a transition from girlhood to
womanhood. The conversations surrounding FGM/C have been complicated by the involvement of women
themselves in perpetuating the practice. A qualitative inquiry employing face-to-face, one-on-one, in-depth semi-
structured interviews was used in a study that included 30 women living with obstetric fistulas in Kenya. Using the
Social Network Framework and a feminist analysis we present stories of Kenyan women who had developed
obstetric fistulas following prolonged and obstructed childbirth. Of the 30 participants, three women reported that
health care workers informed them that FGM/C was one of the contributing factors to their prolonged and
obstructed childbirth. They reported serious obstetric complications including: the development of obstetric
fistulas, lowered libido, poor quality of life and maternal and child health outcomes, including death. Fistula and
subsequent loss of bodily functionalities such as uncontrollable leakage of body wastes, was reported by the
women to result in rejection by spouses, families, friends and communities. Rejection further led to depression,
loss of work, increased sense of apathy, lowered self-esteem and image, as well as loss of identity and communal
sociocultural cohesion. FGM/C is practised in traditional, patriarchal communities across Africa. Although the
practice aims to bind community members and to celebrate a rite of passage; it may lead to harmful health and

PDF GENERATED BY SEARCH.PROQUEST.COM Page 1 of 3

social consequences. Some women with fistula report their fistula was caused by FGM/C. Concerted efforts which
embrace feminist understandings of society, as well as multi-sectoral, multidisciplinary and community
development approaches need to be employed to address FGM/C, and to possibly reduce cases of obstetric
fistulas in Kenya and beyond. Both government and non-government organisations need to be involved in making
legislative, gender sensitive policies that protect women from FGM/C."

According to the news editors, the research concluded: "In addition, the policy makers need to be in the front line to
improve the lives of women who endured the consequences of FGM/C."

For more information on this research see: Injured bodies, damaged lives: experiences and narratives of Kenyan
women with obstetric fistula and Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting. Reproductive Health, 2017;14():1-11.
Reproductive Health can be contacted at: Biomed Central Ltd, 236 Grays Inn Rd, Floor 6, London WC1X 8HL,
England. (BioMed Central - www.biomedcentral.com/; Reproductive Health - www.reproductive-health-journal.com)

The news correspondents report that additional information may be obtained from L. Mwanri, Flinders University of
South Australia, Fac Med Nursing &Hlth Sci, Discipline Public Hlth, Bedford Pk, SA 5042, Australia.

Keywords for this news article include: Bedford Park, Australia, Australia and New Zealand, Female Genital
Mutilation, Female Circumcision, Women's Health, Obstetrics, Surgery, Flinders University of South Australia.

Our reports deliver fact-based news of research and discoveries from around the world. Copyright 2017, NewsRx
LLC

DETAILS

Subject: Womens health; Female circumcision; Maternal &child health; Obstetrics;

Reproductive health

Location: Africa Australia Kenya

Identifier / keyword: City:Bedford Park Country:Australia Region:Australia and New Zealand Female
Genital Mutilation Female Circumcision Women's Health Obstetrics Surgery

Publication title: Women's Health Weekly; Atlanta

First page: 1986

Publication year: 2017

Publication date: Apr 27, 2017

Publisher: NewsRx

Place of publication: Atlanta

Country of publication: United States

PDF GENERATED BY SEARCH.PROQUEST.COM Page 2 of 3

 Publication subject: Medical Sciences, Women's Interests

ISSN: 10787240

Source type: Wire Feeds

Language of publication: English

Document type: Expanded Reporting

ProQuest document ID: 1889893043

Document URL: https://search.proquest.com/docview/1889893043?accountid=39870

Copyright: Copyright 2017, NewsRx LLC

Last updated: 2017-04-20

Database: Family Health Database

Database copyright  2017 ProQuest LLC. All rights reserved.

Terms and Conditions Contact ProQuest

PDF GENERATED BY SEARCH.PROQUEST.COM Page 3 of 3