Female Genital Mutilation - World Health Organization

This module is intended to prepare nurses and
midwives to identify and to manage the physical,
psychosocial, and sexual complications that are
consequences of female genital mutilation.
General objectives
On completion of the module, students should be
able to:
● Recognize complications due to FGM.
● Manage women with physical, psychosocial and
sexual complications due to FGM.
● Demonstrate skills in counselling.
● Demonstrate skills in opening up type III FGM.
● Refer clients for further management when the
complications are beyond their competence.
Essential competencies
Students are expected to acquire the following skills
from this module:
● ability to carry out an interview with a girl or
woman with FGM
● ability to perform physical assessment and identify
complications resulting from FGM
● ability to conduct a pelvic examination to determine
the type of FGM and physical complications
● ability to adapt family planning methods to ensure
effective family planning care to a woman who has
undergone FGM
● ability to recognize and provide appropriate
information, counselling, support, treatment
and/or referral for further management of physical,
sexual and psychosocial complications of FGM
● ability to manage the opening up of an infibulated
girl or woman, including:
– recognizing that this is necessary;
– making a referral, as appropriate
– providing pre-operative care and counselling
– performing the procedure where appropriate
– managing post-operative care.
Reference materials
FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION
STUDENT MANUAL
MODULE 3: MANAGEMENT OF GIRLS AND
WOMEN WITH FGM COMPLICATIONS
The following materials are recommended for
student’s additional reading
● Female Genital Mutilation. A Joint
WHO/UNICEF/UNFPA Statement. Geneva, World
Health Organization, 1997.
● Female Genital Mutilation. An Overview. Geneva,
World Health Organization, 1998.
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● A Systematic Review of the Health Complications of
Female Genital Mutilation including Sequelae in
Childbirth. Geneva, World Health Organization,
2000 (WHO/FCH/WMH/00.2).
● Female Genital Mutilation. A Handbook for Frontline
Workers. Geneva, World Health Organization, 2000
(WHO/FCH/WMH/00.5 Rev.1).
● Management of Pregnancy, Childbirth and the
Postpartum Period in the Presence of Female Genital
Mutilation. Report of a WHO Technical
Consultation. Geneva, 15-17 October 1997. Geneva,
World Health Organization, 2001 (WHO/FCH/
GWH 01.2)/
● Female Genital Mutilation: The Prevention and the
Management of the Health Complications: Policy
Guidelines for nurses and midwives. WHO/FCH/
GWH/01.5. WHO, Geneva (2001)
● Toubia, N.A. A practical manual for health care
providers caring for women with circumcision.
RAINBO Publication, New York, 1999.