In inner Melbourne there are significant numbers of residents from countries where female genital cutting (FGC, also known as female genital mutilation) is common. Despite changes in patterns of immigration to Victoria, and in FGC practices in affected communities’ countries of origin, little research has been conducted into local communities’ knowledge, beliefs, practices and health-service experiences in relation to FGC in the last ten years.
Researchers from the Centre for Women’s Health, Gender and Society (MSPH) and Melbourne Law School are working with North Yarra Community Health (now cohealth) and the Royal Women’s Hospital to increase understanding about FGC to inform health services.
Researchers on this project received a 2014 Vice Chancellor's Staff Engagement Excellence Award for their work. This project attracted further funding from the Department of Health and Ageing and the Australian National Research Organisation for Women's Safety (ANROWS).
Researchers
Cathy Vaughan [Centre for Women’s Health, Gender & Society, Faculty of Medicine, Dental and Health Sciences, UoM]
John Tobin [Melbourne Law School, UoM]
Louise Keogh [Melbourne School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine, Dental and Health Sciences, UoM]
Chris Bayly [Royal Women's Hospital]
Louise Sadler [North Yarra Community Health]
Research outputs
Publications
Vaughan C., White N., Keogh L., Tobin J., Ha B., Ibrahim M. & Bayly C. (2014) Listening to North Yarra Communities about female genital cutting. Melbourne: University of Melbourne
Media
Australian study finds declining support for FGM in migrant communities, ABC Radio National, Friday 4 July 2014
Female circumcision on decline in Melbourne, The Age, Wednesday 2 July 2014
Getting health-care right for women affected by genital cutting, Voice, Monday 8 April 2013