Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health (MCWH) is focusing its national efforts on improving support and assistance provided to women and girls affected by female genital mutilation (FGM). The development of a national website and best practice guidelines for the abandonment of FGM are at the core of MCWH’s latest initiative.

Executive Director of MCWH, Dr Adele Murdolo said that the National Education Toolkit for FGM Awareness (NETFA) Project will ensure a more targeted approach to community education that will help FGM-affected communities move toward abandonment of the practice.

The NETFA Project is one of 15 projects funded through the Federal Government’s Health System Capacity Development Fund-FGM Support Targeted Round and will be carried out over the next twelve months.

“We know there are many excellent programs being conducted around the country, yet there are currently no evidence-based, nationally agreed criteria for FGM resources and program models,” said Dr Murdolo. ‘Our task will be to identify the gaps and bring together all the available evidence of what works so it will be accessible for all involved.

Dr Murdolo said that MCWH’s work with immigrant and refugee women and the relationships it has established during the last 35 years has considerable benefits for the project.

“Putting an end to FGM requires cultural sensitivity and it’s essential that women’s voices, knowledge and life experiences are respected to avoid stigmatising women and girls.

“With the help of our national network partners, women impacted by FGM will be engaged to act as advisory members and consult for us throughout the project.

“Women from FGM-affected communities will also be represented at the national forum we’ll be holding next June.

“While the forum marks the official end of the NETFA project, the resources developed will have on-going relevance.

“As far as identifying the most culturally appropriate and effective prevention and education programs goes, it’s an excellent start,” said Dr Murdolo.

For more information or to arrange an interview, contact
MCWH spokesperson Dr Adele Murdolo: 0438 823 299