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Cited by 64Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting IssuesCultural Competency in Health CareGender, Health, and Social Inequality

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 28 of the 30 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Female genital cutting (FGC) and the ethics of care: community engagement and cultural sensitivity at the interface of migration experiences

Open access
Vissandjée, Bilkis, Denetto, Shereen, Migliardi, Paula, Proctor, Jodi·2014·BMC International Health and Human Rights
DOI 10.1186/1472-698x-14-13PMC PMC4012131
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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Female Genital Cutting (FGC) anchored in a complex socio-cultural context becomes significant at the interface of access of health and social services in host countries. The practice of FGC at times, understood as a form of gender-based violence, may result in unjustifiable consequences among girls and women; yet, these practices are culturally engrained traditions with complex meanings calling for ethically and culturally sensitive health and social service provision. Intents and meanings of FGC practice need to be well understood before before any policies that criminalize and condemn are derived and implemented. FGC is addressed as a global public health issue with complex legal and ethical dimensions which impacts ability to access services, far beyond gender sensitivity. The ethics of terminology are addressed, building on the sustained controversial debate in regards to the delicate issue of conceptualization. An overview of international policies is provided, identifying the current trend of condemnation of FGC practices. Socio-cultural and ethical challenges are discussed in light of selected findings from a community-based research project. The illustrative examples provided focus on Western countries, with a specific emphasis on Canada. DISCUSSION: The examples provided converge with the literature confirming the utmost necessity to engage with the FGC practicing communities allowing for ethically sensitive strategies, reduction of harm in relation to systems of care, and prevention of the risk of systematic gendered stigmatization. A culturally competent, gender and ethically sensitive approach is argued for to ensure the provision of quality ethical care for migrant families in host countries. We argue that socio-cultural determinants such as ethnicity, migration, sex and gender need to be accounted for as integral to the social construction of FGC. SUMMARY: Working partnerships between the public health sector and community based organisations with a true involvement of women and men from practicing communities will allow for more sensitive and congruent clinical guidelines. In order to honour the fundamental principles and values of medical ethics, such as compassion, beneficence, non-malfeasance, respect, and justice and accountability, socio-cultural interactions at the interface of health and migration will continue to require proper attention. It entails a commitment to recognise the intrinsic value and dignity of girls' and women's context.

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2 of the 30 references couldn’t be matched to a known paper.

Research works printed but not linked: 9

  1. Hernlund Y, Shell-Duncan B: Transcultural Bodies: Female Genital Cutting in Global Context. 2007, New Brunswick, New Jersey, and London: Rutgers University Press, 1-45.
  2. Vissandjée B, Battaglini A: Santé des Femmes: A la Croisée des Questions de Genre, Ethnicité et Migration. Santé et Services Sociaux de Première Ligne en Milieu Pluriethnique. Edited by: Battaglini A. 2010, Québec: Éditions Rémi Saint Martin
  3. Battaglini A: Santé et services sociaux de première ligne en milieu pluriethnique. 2010, Éditions Rémi Saint Martin: Québec
  4. Delbon P, Conti A: Female genital mutilation in Europe: ethical and legal considerations. Riv Ital Med Adolesc. 2008, 6: 28-36.
  5. Sexuality Education Resource Centre Manitoba (SERC): Our Selves Our Daughters: Women, Men, and Youth’s Perspectives of Female Genital Cutting and Change. 2011a, Winnipeg: SERC
  6. Sexuality Education Resource Centre Manitoba (SERC): Our Selves, Our Daughters: Community-Based Education and Engagement Addressing Female Genital Cutting (FGC) with Refugee and Immigrant African Women in Winnipeg 2010–2011. 2011b, Winnipeg: SERC
  7. Sexuality Education Resource Centre Manitoba (SERC): Our Selves Our Daughters: Community-Based Education and Engagement Addressing Female Genital Cutting (FGC) with Refugee and Immigrant African Women in Winnipeg 2011–2012. 2012, Winnipeg: SERC
  8. Tharao W, Cornwell L: Feminist Leadership and Female Genital Mutilation in Canada. Theorising Empowerment: Canadian Perspectives on Black Feminist Thought. Edited by: Massaquoi N, Wane N. 2007, Toronto: Inanna Publications
  9. Migration und Gesundheit: Tough Decision. 2012, Switzerland: Federal Office of Public Health

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Metadata

Authors
Vissandjée, B., Denetto, S., Migliardi, P., & Proctor, J.
Affiliations
  • Université de Montréal (CA)
  • Sexuality Education Resource Centre (CA)
  • McGill University (CA)
Corresponding author
Vissandjée, Bilkis
ORCID
Vissandjée, Bilkis
Venue
BMC International Health and Human Rights
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2014-04-24
Volume
14
Issue
1
Pages
13-13
ISSN
1472-698X (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1186/1472-698x-14-13
PMC
PMC4012131
OpenAlex
W2025967367
Cited by
64
References
30
Citations by year
2025: 2 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 14 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 2
FWCI
4.31
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • BMC International Health and Human Rights (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • Winnipeg Foundation
  • Canadian Institutes of Health Research
  • Institute of Gender and Health
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting Issues
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Cultural Competency in Health Care
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Gender, Health, and Social Inequality
Keywords
female genital mutilation, care ethics, cultural sensitivity, migrant women, gender-based violence, community participation, health care access, community organizations, Canada, medical ethics, human dignity
MeSH terms
Adult, Canada, Child, Delivery of Health Care, Ethics, Medical, Ethnicity, Female, Health Policy, Health Services Accessibility, Health Services Needs and Demand, Humans, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Male, Public Health, Residence Characteristics, Violence, Women's Health, Circumcision, Female, Comprehension, Dissent and Disputes, Emigrants and Immigrants, Cultural Competency, Community-Based Participatory Research, Social Stigma

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