For more than 25 years, Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) has been working in the fight to eliminate FGM/C, working beside women who have themselves experienced the illegal practice.
“We really want to shout it from the mountain tops – no more female genital circumcision,” said Dipti Zachariah, Multicultural Health Services team leader.
“Our girls are precious. This week we celebrate International Women’s Day and it serves as a loud reminder for us as governments, decision makers, communities and individuals to be accountable and to make this world an equal place for all – make it safe for women and children to live life to the fullest,” she said.
Dr Ngatho Mugo, community education officer with the NSW Education program on FGM/C, and bilingual community educators have been instrumental in raising awareness in the hopes of ending this harmful cultural practice through health promotion and early intervention.
To ensure at risk and affected women are best supported, the Multicultural Health team are always looking at ways to improve and best serve their community.
“We are currently assessing existing needs and looking at redesigning our program,” Dr Mugo said.
“To do this effectively, we need to hear directly from the local western Sydney community what’s working and what’s not. We have created two surveys – one for community members aged 18 and over from high risk practising communities and one aimed at those who support women, girls and families from FGM/C practising communities.
“One voice can make a big difference; so please spare five minutes to take the survey relevant to you and ‘make your voice heard’.”
For more about the survey, visit wslhd.health.nsw.gov.au.
Fight to stop girl mutilation
IT is estimated that 53,000 girls and women born elsewhere but living in Australia, have undergone female genital mutilation or cutting (FGM/C) during their lifetime.