Female Genital Mutilation - Information for teens

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.

Important to remember

• Many types of procedures are performed on female genitals.
• All
• Margar tegundir af aðgerðum eru gerðar á kynfærum kvenna.
• All procedures not performed for medical reasons are mutilation.
• Female mutilation is not done for religious reasons. Neither the Bible nor the Quran mention it, and the communities that practice mutilation are both Christian and Islamic.

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 infections.
• Difficulties peeing.
• Difficulties with menstruation.
• Pain and discomfort during sexual intercourse.
• Mental health problems.
• Social problems.

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 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.