Pilar Almansa Martínez

Key points for abolishing Female Genital Mutilation from the perspective of the men involved

INTRODUCTION female Genital Mutilation is internationally considered an affront on human rights and an act of violence against women and young girls. Furthermore, it hierarchises and perpetuates inequality and denies the right to bodily and psychosocial integrity of women and young girls. AIMS to detect the key points for the abolition of Female Genital Mutilation as well as the necessary resources for its eradication. MATERIAL AND METHOD a qualitative methodology with an ethnonursing perspective, via semi-structured interviews, held both individually and in groups, in 21 men familiar with Female Genital Mutilation. FINDINGS through the voices of men familiar with this tradition, five key points are presented for its gradual eradication: sensitisation and awareness building, team action, abolition-promoting media, focusing action on rural areas and applying educational means before punitive ones. CONCLUSION AND PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS awareness-raising via the combined efforts of families, communities and governments, together with the promotion of health education programmes in demonstrating the complications derived from this practice, play a vital part in eradicating Female Genital Mutilation.

Dismantling the man-made myths upholding female genital mutilation

ABSTRACTFemale genital mutilation (FGM) is internationally considered an affront to human rights and an act of violence against women and young girls. Furthermore, it hierarchizes and perpetuates inequality and denies women and girls the right to physical and psychosexual integrity. The aim of this study is to detect the weak points and false premises underlying male justification of FGM and to present demythologization as a health education tool. We used a qualitative methodology with an ethonursing focus via semistructured individual and group interviews in 25 men associated with FGM. Our results found that nine myths and their mythologization are presented through the masculine voices of those associated with this tradition. These myths are used as justification by men and women in order to uphold the practice of FGM. Demythologization as a nursing intervention based on reorienting or restructuring models of cultural care allows us to work against the false premises making up the myths which act to pro...ABSTRACT Female genital mutilation (FGM) is internationally considered an affront to human rights and an act of violence against women and young girls. Furthermore, it hierarchizes and perpetuates inequality and denies women and girls the right to physical and psychosexual integrity. The aim of this study is to detect the weak points and false premises underlying male justification of FGM and to present demythologization as a health education tool. We used a qualitative methodology with an ethonursing focus via semistructured individual and group interviews in 25 men associated with FGM. Our results found that nine myths and their mythologization are presented through the masculine voices of those associated with this tradition. These myths are used as justification by men and women in order to uphold the practice of FGM. Demythologization as a nursing intervention based on reorienting or restructuring models of cultural care allows us to work against the false premises making up the myths which act to protect this tradition.

Starting a dialogue and special populations

Think of this editorial as a trailer for a movie—a blockbuster movie, one that is insightful and thought-provoking. One that makes you excited to see the movie and discuss it with colleagues and friends the next day. In an upcoming issue of Health Care for Women International, we have grouped together the works of authors who have investigated the impact of power or related acts on women. Two authors in particular focus on genital mutilation. In our quest for encouraging dialogue amongst our international, interdisciplinary audience, we asked the authors of those two articles to write a commentary linking their works. While Health Care for Women International has made great strides since it was founded some 33 years ago, we still hope to not only encourage interdisciplinary, international dialogue but to also provide a home for it. It is our hope that as you read this commentary, it will whet your appetite for the upcoming thematic issue on power and acts that affect women. Perhaps this particular issue, with a focus on special populations and their health-related issues, will inspire you to speak up and out. In a time of renewed attention on women’s rights across the globe, let’s all be a part of the dialogue.

Algoritmo de actuación en la prevención de la mutilación genital femenina. Estudio de casos desde atención primaria

OBJECTIVE Create and implement a protocol for identifying and preventing female genital mutilation in a municipality of the Region of Murcia. DESIGN A bibliographical review and significant databases were consulted for the creation of the algorithm performance. These include Cuiden, Dialnet, Medes, Medline, and other documentary sources of interest. The instrument for data collection was completed by interviewing parents of girls at risk. DRAFTING AND IMPLEMENTATION The multi-disciplinary team was formed; the female genital mutilation risk cases were collected, and were summoned to the nursing consulting room. Two girls had been mutilated, the rest were at risk of female genital mutilation, and in one case the risk was imminent. CONCLUSION The algorithm designed guides practitioners in their performance, achieving an effective detection and prevention of genital mutilation of girls. This is a first approach to the development of a regional protocol.