RCN advocates for women's and children's human rights in Indonesia

Published: 17 January 2012

The RCN has collaborated with the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and several other national and international health care organisations, to write to the Indonesian authorities objecting to a new set of clinical guidelines which medicalise female genital mutilation (FGM). Whilst all organisations accept the rationale behind the new guidelines, intended to ensure that this widespread practice is carried out in sterile conditions by qualified health professionals rather than traditional healers, the concern is that the move to a health care setting effectively legitimises and legalises a harmful and unethical practice. The implementation of the guidance would send a clear signal to other countries that female genital mutilation is acceptable, and undo the good work that has been done over the past two decades to eradicate the practice, which is a gross violation of women's and girls' human rights and bodily integrity.

The RCN has previously produced guidance on the issue of FGM in a UK setting: Female genital mutilation: An RCN educational resource for nursing and midwifery staff (PDF 1MB) [See how to access PDF files].