Female Genital Mutilation

What is female genital mutilation?

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is sometimes called female circumcision. It is a tradition in some African countries, in the Middle East, and South Asia.

• Female genital mutilation is a severe form of physical violence and is illegal in Iceland.
• A person can be sentenced to up to 16 years in prison for it.

Is female genital mutilation performed for religious reasons?

Female genital mutilation has nothing to do with religion.

• There is nothing about female circumcision in the Bible or the Quran.
• Both Christian and Islamic communities perform FGM.
• FGM is done because of customs based on ideas like:
• Women should be submissive to men.
• Women should be pure virgins when they marry a man.
• Ideas like that are not valid in modern societies like Iceland.
• Just because something has been done for a long time does not mean it is acceptable.

Violence is violence. It does not matter where it happens or what reasons are behind it.

What is most often done?

Many types of procedures are performed on female genitals.

These procedures are usually performed on babies.

They are done by cutting, scraping, piercing, scratching, or burning.

• Sometimes the clitoris is cut off.
• Sometimes the inner labia are removed.
• Sometimes the outer labia are sewn together.

All of these are considered mutilation, which is a serious physical assault and illegal in Iceland.

What problems can genital mutilation cause?

FGM is done to prevent women from enjoying sex or to prevent them from having sex except with their future husband.

Women who were mutilated as children face various problems in life such as:

• Recurrent genital infections.
• Recurrent urinary tract infections, which can lead to kidney failure.
• Difficulties with urination.
• Difficulties with menstruation.
• Pain and discomfort during sexual intercourse.
• Difficulties during childbirth for both mother and child.
• Mental health problems.
• Social problems.

Should I have my daughter genitals mutilated?

The answer is simple: No.

If you are being pressured to have your daughter mutilated, you can talk to your midwife. She will be able to guide you.

You can talk to a nurse at any health care centre.

Mutilation of children is both a child protection issue and a police matter.

You can go to Child Protection Services to prevent the mutilation from happening.

No matter what you have been told, this does not improve hygiene but increases the risk of infections. If she lives in Iceland and is mutilated, it will make her life more difficult, not easier.

It is your role as a parent to protect your child from harm, no matter how difficult it may be.

Responses you can use:

• I will not take risks with my daughter; she could die or must live with pain for the rest of her life.
• In Iceland, I have the choice to skip this tradition. That is why I choose not to do it.
• I respect human rights.
• I want my daughter to have control over her own body.
• I teach my daughter good morals and values so she will be a good person.
• I want my daughter to marry a good man who respects her and does not want to take anything away from her.
• I love and am proud of my country and culture – but not this tradition.
• Work is being done to stop female genital mutilation where this tradition still exists.
• Female genital mutilation is banned in more than 30 countries where it was practiced.

If your child has been mutilated

Parents have experienced their child being mutilated without their consent.

• Most often the mutilation happened during a visit to their home country.
• It is important to seek medical care for the child as soon as possible.
• The health care centre can refer to specialists who can help and try to minimize the damage.
• The sooner it is done, the better it is for the child.

Where can I go to get help?

Health care centres (heilsugæslur) have a duty of privacy and will not talk to anyone about you unless you consent.

If you are of school age

If you are of school age and believe or know that you are a victim of mutilation, you can reach out to a trusted adult such as:

• A trusted teacher
• A guidance counsellor
• A school nurse
• A school psychologist
• A family doctor
• A nurse at the health centre
• Nurses and midwives have received training on this and can help you.
• You can go to a health care centre and ask to speak with a nurse.
• If you feel uncomfortable going there, you can call the health care centre and ask for a phone call from a nurse.

You do not have to go to your local health care centre or talk to your family doctor.

If you think a friend is a victim of mutilation

It is important that you do not talk about it with your peers. That could lead to the girl being bullied. Talk to a trusted adult, such as your parents.

If you are an adult

If you are a victim of genital mutilation, you can seek help at the health care centre.

• They can refer you to surgeons who can try to minimize the damage.
• They can help you get help with a psychiatrist if needed.
• If you are pregnant and in prenatal care, it is important to let the midwife know.