Sara Kahsai, who relocated to Birmingham in 2022 after marrying, experienced a significant life realization when she came to understand she had undergone female genital mutilation as a child in Sudan. The discovery prompted difficult conversations with her mother, who explained the practice was rooted in cultural tradition. Upon becoming pregnant, Kahsai disclosed her experience to healthcare providers and was referred to a specialized clinic operated by midwives at Birmingham Women’s Hospital.
Female genital mutilation involves the partial or total removal of female genitalia for non-medical purposes and occurs in parts of Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and within certain migrant communities in the United Kingdom, where it is illegal. According to World Health Organization figures cited by the Home Office, three million girls undergo some form of the procedure annually in Africa alone. Medical complications associated with FGM include urinary and menstrual difficulties, increased vulnerability to infections and sepsis, chronic pain, and psychological effects such as anxiety and depression.
Midwife Renata Hanif manages approximately 200 cases yearly at the Birmingham Women’s Hospital clinic, providing care that includes deinfibulation, a procedure that can be performed during pregnancy to facilitate safer childbirth. The clinic also offers counseling and education to help women understand their conditions and facilitates partner support. The National FGM Centre, established by Barnardo’s in 2015, works to prevent occurrences and support affected individuals.
Educational initiatives remain a point of discussion, with schools mandated to teach pupils about FGM and relevant laws as part of relationships and sex education curricula, though implementation varies. The government convened a dedicated FGM Summit earlier this year to discuss protective measures, including new guidelines for identifying girls at risk of being taken abroad for the procedure. Kahsai advocates for other affected women to seek professional help through their general practitioners rather than enduring prolonged suffering.
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