Sudan Survivor Finds Healing in UK Clinic

Sara Kahsai, who relocated to Birmingham, England, in 2022, recently came to terms with being a victim-survivor of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), a procedure she underwent as a child in Sudan. This discovery brought immense shock and exacerbated physical intimacy challenges with her husband, who proved to be very patient. She learned from her mother that the practice was cultural at the time. FGM, which involves the removal of female genitalia for non-medical reasons, is illegal in the UK and considered child abuse. It affects millions of girls globally each year.

Upon becoming pregnant, Sara disclosed her FGM history to healthcare professionals and was referred to the FGM Clinic at Birmingham Women's Hospital. Midwife Renata Hanif, who manages around 200 cases annually, focuses on maternal and infant well-being. The clinic provides deinfibulation to facilitate safer childbirth and addresses issues like pain, infections, and psychological trauma associated with FGM. Many women find it difficult to discuss their experiences, but the clinic offers support and education to help them regain control of their bodies.

Preventative measures are also crucial. The National FGM Centre, established in 2015, works to prevent FGM and support affected individuals. While schools are legally required to teach about FGM, the consistency of delivery varies. Efforts are underway to improve identification of girls at risk of being taken abroad for the procedure, with the government holding its first FGM Summit in a decade recently. Sara urges other women affected by FGM in the UK to seek help from their GPs and available support services.