KÖNSSTYMPADE KVINNOR OCH SVENSK HÄLSO- OCH SJUKVÅRD

This paper deals with female genital mutilation and was created by a litterature search. The purpose of the study was to illuminate the practice and give a general perspective that can contribute increased understanding for the situation of these women. Female genital mutilation is an inscision in women genitals. The grade of mutilation varies from scraping clitoris to removal of the entire clitoris and parts, or all of the labia minora and majora. This is particularly an african practise that is performed with primitive tools. The superimposed purpose is to control women sexuality. Today, about 27 000 women from countries in which female genital mutilation (FGM) is a common practice, are living in Sweden. This means that FGM is a phenomenon that directly affects the Swedish health care system. The result shows that swedish nurses knowledge and understanding of the background, meaning and consequences of FGM are of vital importance to be able to meet these women in a sufficient and professional way.