Raising awareness of female genital mutilation

February 6, 2024

Today, the world will mark International Day of Zero Tolerance against female genital mutilation (FGM) – and as a Trust we continue to support and treat women who are survivors of this cruel practice.

Alison Byrne, Specialist FGM Midwife who has been treating and caring women for 22 years. She runs specialist clinics for patients from across the West Midlands.

FGM comprises all procedures that involve altering or injuring the female genitalia for non-medical reasons and is recognised internationally as a violation of the human rights, the health and the integrity of girls and women.

Girls who undergo female genital mutilation face short-term complications such as severe pain, shock, excessive bleeding, infections, and difficulty in passing urine, as well as long-term consequences for their sexual and reproductive health and mental health.

Alison explains more about the effects of FGM in this video below: