Navigating Complexity: Understanding and Addressing Challenges Faced by Kurdish Women with FGM/C
By Osman Mahmoudi UNICEF reports that FGM/C remains prevalent in Iraqi Kurdistan, affecting over half of women who live there. The profound impact of this practice requires urgent medical and psychological support for survivors. However, a lack of specialized professionals in the region, and limited awareness of treatment options and complications, pose challenges. Cultural taboos and social constraints further impede survivors from seeking help, leading to discrimination, stigma, and reluctance to access essential services. As a family counselor and psychotherapist specializing in FGM/C, I have conducted extensive research and provided psychological, sexual, and physical services to survivors and their partners. Between 2019 and 2023, I conducted numerous workshops for local teams in Iraqi Kurdistan, focusing on effective communication with survivors and providing comprehensive care. These sessions focused on understanding the complications of FGM/C and breaking the taboo’s surrounding the discussion of this practice. The workshops highlighted the lack of readily available psychological support for survivors, as well as cultural and social obstacles they face in opening up about their struggles. They also highlight how professionals – like doctors – lack awareness regarding proper treatment methods for FGM/C. However, participants’ eagerness to learn and enhance care emphasized the need for continuous education and training in this domain. These experiences underscore the potential for improving survivor care through ongoing learning and educational initiatives. In 2023, after concluding the training sessions, the educational materials used were compiled into a publication titled “Living with FGM in Kurdish Regions.” This book aims to fill a significant gap in existing literature, and serves as a guide to help survivors enhance their quality of life. The book comprises five chapters, each of which explores various aspects of FGM/C: The first chapter dives into the historical and cultural context of the practice in Iraqi Kurdistan Chapter two focuses on the challenges Kurdish women face in openly discussing their experiences Chapter three stresses the importance of addressing survivors’ physical health through comprehensive medical examinations and management strategies Chapters four and five explores the psychological and sexual impacts of FGM, offering insights into therapeutic interventions As a handbook, this publication also provides practical guidance on psychosexual therapy and social services. It marks a culture-oriented approach in the domain of “Life with female circumcision,” emphasizing the importance of respecting and empowering survivors while tailoring therapeutic approaches to their individual needs. Osman Mahmoudi is a family counseling doctor, researcher, and trainer specializing in FGM in Iran. His research aims to enhance the psychosexual well-being of FGM survivors by improving access to quality healthcare in the region. He earned his doctorate in family counseling from Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz. Additionally, Osman Mahmoudi is dedicated to advancing sexual rehabilitation for FGM survivors in Kurdistan, Iran, through his ongoing study. Related links: This Father’s Day, join our campaign Survivor Support Resources
This Father’s Day, join our campaign
In honor of Father’s Day 2024, Sahiyo’s male engagement program, Bhaiyo is launching a public awareness campaign to uplift the importance of male voices and allies in ending female genital cutting or FGC. Recognizing that FGM/C is a community health issue – not just a woman’s issue – the movement to end FGC needs additional male voices and allies to bring this issue to the forefront. This June, we’ll be holding a month-long campaign asking community members to share how they have raised the topic of FGC in conversation with the men in their lives – their brothers, fathers, husbands, friends, and more. To participate in the campaign: Send us a video, quote, write-up, or photo about your experience engaging with men on the topic of FGC Alternatively, you can send us a video, quote, write-up, or photo that uplifts how men can engage, educate, and build awareness about ending FGC Submit your items to info@sahiyo.org by June 16th, 2024. The materials will be gathered together and shared on Sahiyo’s social media platforms throughout the month of June. Below are some questions you can consider asking someone in your life while trying to initiate a conversation about FGC: When did you first come to know about FGC? What is the role men can play in educating communities about FGC? How can brothers/fathers make an impact in these conversations about ending FGC? What message would you like to give to all the fathers and brothers out there about ending FGC? You can ask for your experience to be shared anonymously, if you prefer. For comments and inquiries about the campaign, please reach out to Samman Masud at samman@sahiyo.org. PS: Sahiyo will soon be launching a survey around male engagement on FGC during our June Father’s Day campaign. We’ll be sharing more information in the future about how to participate! Related links: How I took part in the Each One, Reach Bhaiyo Campaign: My experience with different Bhaiyos