Exigencia de códigos contra la ablación genital femenina en el ámbito médico
The World Health Organization (WHO) has released a new guide that includes various measures against female genital mutilation, such as establishing codes of conduct to prohibit healthcare professionals from performing this practice and to support victims.
This guide aims to train healthcare personnel in prevention, as it is estimated that in 2020, 52 million girls and women underwent genital mutilation, representing a quarter of all cases.
«The health sector plays an essential role in preventing female genital mutilation: healthcare professionals should be agents of change, not perpetrators of this harmful practice, and they should also provide high-quality medical care to those suffering its effects,» said sexual health director, Passale Allotey.
Among the measures highlighted is that sensitive communication can help healthcare personnel reject requests for this practice, emphasizing the need to inform the population about its serious and long-term risks.
Various studies have shown the harm caused by female genital mutilation, with some suggesting that healthcare professionals may cause deeper and more severe injuries. This «medicalization» also implies an unintentional legitimization of the practice.
«Research shows that healthcare personnel can be influential in changing attitudes towards FGM and play a crucial role in its prevention,» said the guide’s director, Christina Pallitto, and HRP scientist.
In this regard, she emphasized that the involvement of doctors, nurses, and midwives is «essential» to prevent female genital mutilation. Additionally, providing education and information at the community level, conducting awareness-raising activities involving men and boys, is important to reduce this practice.
The guide also includes clinical recommendations to ensure access to empathetic and high-quality medical care for survivors of genital mutilation, as they face many issues and may require support for mental health, surgical repairs, or obstetric risks.
WHO emphasized that adequate commitment and support are essential to eradicate female genital mutilation. It cited countries like Burkina Faso, Sierra Leone, and Ethiopia as examples, where prevalence reductions among young women aged 15 to 19 have been recorded over the past 30 years, with reductions of 50%, 35%, and 30% respectively.
FUENTE
