Sara Kahsai relocated to Birmingham, England in 2022 after marrying a local bus driver. During this transition to married life, she made a significant personal discovery: she was a survivor of female genital mutilation (FGM), a procedure she had undergone as a young girl in Sudan. The realization brought considerable emotional shock and contributed to physical and relational challenges, though her husband provided patient support as she processed the trauma.
When Kahsai sought answers from her mother, now living in Africa, she learned that the practice had been undertaken based on cultural norms of the time. Her mother expressed remorse for the decision. FGM, which involves partial or total removal of female genitalia for non-medical reasons, remains practiced in parts of Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, and occurs within some migrant communities in the United Kingdom where it is classified as illegal and constitutes child abuse. According to World Health Organisation figures cited by the Home Office, three million girls undergo the procedure annually in Africa alone.
When Kahsai became pregnant, she disclosed her FGM history to health professionals and was referred to the specialist FGM Clinic at Birmingham Women’s Hospital. Midwife Renata Hanif, who manages approximately 200 cases annually, explained that certain forms of FGM can complicate vaginal delivery. The clinic offers deinfibulation, a procedure performed during pregnancy to separate fused tissue and facilitate safer childbirth. Beyond obstetric concerns, survivors may experience complications with urination and menstruation, heightened infection and sepsis risk, chronic pain, and psychological effects including anxiety and depression.
Hanif noted that many patients struggle emotionally with discussing their experiences and benefit from comprehensive education about their condition and its effects. The clinic also provides counselling and guidance for partners and family members. The National FGM Centre, established by Barnardo’s in 2015, focuses on prevention, awareness-raising, and support. Schools are legally required to teach pupils about FGM as part of relationships and sex education, though implementation varies and primary school coverage remains voluntary.
Kahsai advocates strongly for other survivors to access available support immediately rather than delaying, noting that early intervention would have prevented significant suffering. In April, the government convened its first dedicated FGM Summit in a decade to discuss protective measures, with new guidelines being developed to identify girls at risk of being taken abroad for the procedure.
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