What is the difference between male and female circumcision?

Inhaltsverzeichnis Show

Different types of female genital cutting
Health impacts of female genital cutting
What the law says about Female genital cutting in Victoria
De-infibulation after FGC
Where to get help

Female genital cutting or circumcision is the partial or complete removal of the external female genital organs. It is done for cultural rather than medical reasons.
Female genital circumcision (FGC) is illegal in all Australian states and territories.
Health problems after FGC include infections, abscesses, blocked urinary flow and painful sexual intercourse.
Services and support are available for pregnant and non-pregnant women who have experienced FGC.

Female genital cutting or circumcision (FGC) involves the cutting or altering of the external female genital organs. FGC is a traditional cultural practice rather than a religious practice, and its origins are unknown.The practice can be found in communities and certain ethnic groups in Africa, the Middle East, Asia and South America. According to the World Health Organization, around 200 million women across the globe are affected, with around three million girls undergoing the procedure every year. Estimates suggest that there are around 120,000 migrant women in Australia who experienced FGC in their country of birth.

In Victoria, you may hear the term female genital mutilation (FGM). It is important that you inform your health professional about your preferred term to describe your particular situation or experience.

Different types of female genital cutting

The different types of FGC are classified by the extent of the practice involved. They include:

Type I – clitoridectomy, or ‘sunna’. The hood of skin that sits over the clitoris (prepuce) is removed. The clitoris may or may not be removed in part or in total.
Type II – clitoridectomy, ‘sunna’ or excision and circumcision. The entire clitoris is removed. The inner lips (labia minora) are either partially or totally removed.
Type III – infibulation or ‘Pharaonic’ circumcision. The removal of all or part of the labia minora and labia majora, with the stitching of a seal across the vagina, leaving a small opening for the passage of urine and menstrual blood.
Type IV – other practices including piercing, cauterising, scraping or using corrosive substances designed to scar and narrow the vagina.

Health impacts of female genital cutting

FGC has no health benefit to women and girls, and it can have negative impacts on sexual and reproductive health.

There may be immediate and long-term negative health impacts including:

severe pain
bleeding
shock
infection
death
scarring and cysts
blocked flow of urine
urinary incontinence
recurring urinary tract infections
infections of the pelvis
increased risk of infertility
painful sexual intercourse
reduced sexual enjoyment
post-traumatic stress syndrome, including nightmares and flashbacks
depression
social isolation
childbirth difficulties, such as severe tearing and haemorrhage
chronic anxiety.

What the law says about Female genital cutting in Victoria

Female genital cutting is illegal in Victoria and across Australia, in all circumstances. Taking a person outside Victoria to another state or territory or overseas for this procedure is also illegal. The maximum penalty in Victoria is 15 years imprisonment.

It’s also against the law to perform re-infibulation after childbirth to narrow or close the vaginal opening. Restitching immediately after childbirth by a doctor or midwife is only performed for tearing.

De-infibulation after FGC

The operation to reopen the vagina is called de-infibulation. In Australia, de-infibulation is considered to be a form of corrective surgery, and is performed by a gynecologist (specialist in women’s reproductive system), a nurse or midwife.

In Victoria, the African Women’s Clinic at the Royal Women’s Hospital offers the de-infibulation procedure for pregnant and non-pregnant women. Other public and private hospitals may also offer these services. If you have a Medicare card, you can access a public hospital for de-infibulation free of charge.

Where to get help

The Victorian Government provides funding for clinical and non-clinical services for women and communities. There is a range of support services for women, girls and families in Victoria.

Name of the service	Address	Contact details	Services offered
Multicultural Centre for Women's Health Family and Reproductive Rights Education Program (FARREP) worker	134 Cambridge Street, Carringbush Building, Collingwood, VIC, 3066	Tel. (03) 9418 0999 or 1800 656 421 (toll free)	Health promotion Community education Referral to services Multilingual information and resources Support for women and communities
Royal Women’s Hospital – African Women’s Clinic	Women’s Welcome CentreCorner of Grattan Street and Flemington Road, Parkville, VIC, 3052	Tel. (03) 8345 3058	For women of all ages who have been circumcised Support for pregnant and non-pregnant women to think about options for reversing their circumcision De-infibulation
Women’s Health in the North	680 High Street, Thornbury, VIC, 3071	Tel. (03) 9484 1666	Community education on FGC and sexual and reproductive health in education and community settings
Darebin Council Youth Services	274 Gower Street, Preston, VIC, 3072	Tel. (03) 8470 8001	Community education with secondary schools in Darebin local government area Annual teacher information sessions about FGC Weekly homework club
cohealth : Collingwood Kensington Werribee	365 Hoddle Street, Collingwood, VIC, 3066 12 Gower Street, Kensington, VIC, 3031 12/Gate12, 235 Hoppers Lane, Werribee, VIC, 3030		Community education/ information/events/ sessions on FGC and reproductive health Working/co-design with men/boys in the communities
Mercy Hospital for Women	163 Studley Road, Heidelberg, VIC, 3084	Tel. (03) 8458 4150	De-infibulation for pregnant and non-pregnant women Healthcare support for women who have experienced FGC
Monash Health – Dandenong	122 Thomas Street, Dandenong, VIC, 3175	FARREP Team Leader Tel. (03) 9792 7945	Information sessions for community members, including on FGC law in Victoria Information sessions for students in schools, including where to access support Support for pregnant women Referrals for de-infibulation
Banyule Community Health		Tel. (03) 9450 2063	Health care support for women who have experienced FGC Health education impacts and options for women who have experienced FGC
Women’s Health West – Family and Reproductive Rights Education Program	317-319 Barkly Street, Footscray, VIC, 3011	Tel. (03) 9689 9588	FARREP workers use culturally appropriate resources to facilitate women’s health and wellbeing sessions with women and girls from communities that are known to practise FGC.

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