The aim of caring for girls and women who have undergone FGM is to improve health and quality of life by providing help for physical problems and support to promote psychological and sexual wellbeing. If FGM occurred while a client was living in Finland, the client should also be offered assistance and guidance regarding the criminal process.
Deinfibulation (opening surgery)
Girls and women who have undergone FGM and experience problems as a result should be referred for deinfibulation by healthcare professionals. The procedure is simple and quick and can be performed as an outpatient procedure under local anaesthesia.
During deinfibulation, the scar tissue that fuses the labia is opened. This can relieve problems related to urination, menstrual flow and sexual intercourse. Monitoring during pregnancy and childbirth also usually becomes easier after the opening procedure.
Deinfibulation is ideally performed before a young woman becomes sexually active or before pregnancy. It can also be carried out during pregnancy and, if necessary, during childbirth.
Instructional video for those undergoing deinfibulation (in different languages)
Reconstructive surgery
Women who have undergone FGM can also be offered reconstructive surgery in specialised healthcare, aiming to restore the normal anatomy and function of the genital area.
The purpose of reconstructive surgery is to alleviate problems caused by FGM, improve sexual wellbeing and support gender identity and self-confidence.
Currently in Finland, reconstructive surgeries are performed at the HUS Plastic Surgery Unit in Helsinki. Clients need a doctor’s referral for the surgery, and can access it from any region in Finland. Reconstructive surgery is part of publicly funded healthcare.
Brochure on reconstructive surgery for people of Somali background (in Finnish, Julkari)
Brochure on reconstructive surgery for people of Somali background (in Somali, Julkari)
Support and discussion groups
Organisations also provide support and discussion groups for those who have undergone FGM:
- African Care (Africancare.fi)
- The Finnish League for Human Rights (in Finnish, Ihmisoikeusliitto.fi)