Female genital cutting is illegal in Switzerland and in most practising countries. Yet, there are girls and women in this country who are affected by or at risk of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting, abbreviated as FGM/C. Since its inception in 2016, the Network against Female Genital Cutting Switzerland has aimed to ensure the protection and care of these girls and women.
"In the past ten years, we have managed to establish a national competence centre for FGM/C," says project manager Denise Schwegler. "Affected girls and women now receive assistance more quickly, and professionals are increasingly aware of how to respond appropriately to this sensitive issue."
Increase in Enquiries
A core task of the Network against Female Genital Cutting Switzerland is to advise professionals, those affected, and their relatives. As a national point of contact, the network has received approximately 1,170 enquiries since 2016. Currently, the need for advice is higher than ever: professionals and affected individuals contact the specialist office almost daily. There is a marked increase, particularly among women and girls from the asylum sector.
To ensure that those affected are protected early and adequately supported, the network focuses specifically on further training. In the past ten years, 2,466 professionals from the social, migration, health, and justice sectors have been trained in FGM/C. However, there is still a lack of expertise in many areas. As a result, risks often go unnoticed, and girls and women do not receive the appropriate support. Therefore, the network aims to expand the range of training opportunities, particularly in obstetrics, gynaecology, paediatrics, and nursing.
Prevention: Close Cooperation with Migration Communities
Prevention in affected migration communities is central. The network works closely with multipliers from the diaspora. Initially, larger events were often held, but today the information and discussion sessions take place on a smaller scale. This promotes dialogue on the intimate topic. So far, almost 2,500 women and men have been reached at these events.
Another achievement of the Network against Female Genital Cutting Switzerland is the establishment of regional contact points. Today, specialised advisory services exist in almost all cantons. "These regional contact points are crucial so that affected individuals can find support with low barriers and to advance the protection against female genital cutting in all parts of Switzerland," says project manager Simone Giger.
A challenge for the coming years will be to further strengthen and secure these structures long-term. Essential for this is sustainable funding by the cantons and the continued professional support of the existing offices.
Simone Giger says: "Ten years of the network show: Only when the federal government, cantons, professional bodies, and civil society jointly take responsibility can female genital mutilation be effectively prevented and lasting help be offered to those affected."
The Network against Female Genital Cutting Switzerland is holding an anniversary event in Bern on Friday evening, 6 February, for professionals and contributors. Media representatives are also cordially invited. Please register your interest under medien@caritas.ch.
Support from the Federal Government
The Network against Female Genital Cutting Switzerland was founded in 2016 on behalf of the federal government by four organisations: Caritas Switzerland, SEXUAL HEALTH SWITZERLAND, Brava (formerly Terre des Femmes), and the Swiss Competence Centre for Human Rights (now replaced by the Interdisciplinary Centre for Gender Studies at the University of Bern). Except for Brava, they still support the network today. It is supported by the Federal Office of Public Health, the State Secretariat for Migration and the Federal Office for Gender Equality.
www.maedchenbeschneidung.ch/netzwerk
Press Contact:
Denise Schwegler and Simone Giger, project managers FGM/C at Caritas Switzerland and the Network against Female Genital Cutting Switzerland
041 419 23 55
dschwegler@caritas.ch, sgiger@caritas.ch