About the NSW Education Program on FGM/C
The NSW Education Program on FGM/C (the Program) is a specialist statewide multicultural health program funded by NSW Health and hosted by Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD).
The Program works at the intersection of public health, community empowerment and multicultural health supporting women, girls and families to be healthy and well. It delivers a range of initiatives across NSW to prevent FGM/C and reduce its health, social and psychological impacts.
The Program:
- Provides policy advice
- Provides training and education for health and community staff
- Strengthens system and community capacity through prevention, health promotion and early intervention approaches.
We work closely with communities, health professionals, government and non-government partners to improve understanding, communication, and connect them to the right care and support services.
What we do
The Program is strongly grounded by the principles of:
- Equity
- Capacity building
- Empowerment
- Respect and health literacy.
The Program delivers clinical and community focused education initiatives.
Clinical
- To enhance the NSW Health system’s capacity to effectively and sensitively respond to the health, social and cultural needs of affected or at-risk women, girls and their families.
- To implement high-quality, evidence-based, culturally safe, and trauma-informed responses to FGM/C, with a focus on maternal health.
Community
- To support women, girls and families living in NSW with health education to understand and minimise the harmful effects and stigma of FGM/C.
- To prevent FGM/C from happening through community empowerment, education, information, and support.
- To promote better health and address specific health needs through bilingual peer-led community education programs.
For more information or to make an enquiry
Call (02) 9840 3877 or email WSLHD-FGMEducationProgram@health.nsw.gov.au
What is FGM/C?
Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C), sometimes called female circumcision, or traditional cutting, is a practice that includes the partial or complete removal of the external female genitalia or injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.
Communities may use other terms for FGM/C including sunna, sunnat, khitan, tahoor, gudiniin, and bondo.
More than 230 million people, living around the world have experienced FGM/C. It is a harmful practice that has no health benefits. It can cause complex health problems, impacting psychological, gynaecological, obstetric, and sexual wellbeing. In NSW, pregnant women are asked about traditional cutting, to support safe birth outcomes.
FGM/C is not a religious practice
FGM/C happens in more than 40 countries globally. It is often incorrectly associated with religion. However, it is not sanctioned by any religion.
Why is FGM/C practiced?
The practice is rooted in tradition, and strong beliefs about its value are passed on from one generation to the next. It is practised for cultural, social and economic reasons. Many communities believe it enhances hygiene, fertility, and child survival and sometimes view it as a form of contraception.
Not all communities in countries where FGM/C exists, perform it. It is possible for a country to have isolated communities practising FGM/C while more urban communities may not undertake the practice.
Information for Health Professionals
Professional Education Program
The NSW Education Program on FGM/C offers a comprehensive professional education program for health care professionals, counsellors, educators, community and family support services.
The training equips health practitioners and service providers with the knowledge and skills to provide high quality clinical care that is sensitive, culturally safe and non-judgemental to women and girls affected by FGM/C.
Clinical training
Learn more about the clinical training programs we offer. For more information, email WSLHD-FGMEducationProgram@health.nsw.gov.au
| Program | Details |
|---|---|
| In-services | Clinical education is available for all NSW Health services. Educational content is tailored to suit diverse and unique health services and their identified training needs. Training can also be provided to tertiary students. In-person and online options are available. Topics covered:
|
| NSW Community of Practice for FGM/C | The NSW Community of Practice for FGM/C is a dynamic and innovative group of clinical leaders across NSW. The community of practice provides opportunities for staff to develop clinical confidence in FGFM/C care in a safe and supportive environment. It provides a diverse network for enhanced multidisciplinary collaboration, skill-sharing, and support. Together, the community of practice actively engage in developing a shared vision to enhance clinical responses and address gaps in health care. New members and visitors are welcome. |
| Study Days | Regular training days are offered three times a year, at various hospitals across metropolitan Sydney. Online participation is also available. Study days are open to staff who work with women and girls who may have experienced FGM/C, clinical champions for FGM/C in their health service, and anyone working in healthcare who would like to learn more. Study days feature relevant topics, guest speakers, skills training, peer-presented case studies, and access to further information. |
| Midwifery continuity of care | The Community of Practice features a core group of midwives who provide continuity of care to women who have experienced FGM/C, at various hospitals across NSW. The Community of Practice supports new FGM/C midwives to step into continuity models of care for women who have experienced FGM/C. To book an in-service, find out more, implement FGM/C models of care, or attend a study day, please email WSLHD-FGMEducationProgram@health.nsw.gov.au |
Information for Community
The Program works directly with women living with FGM/C and communities in NSW, who are from countries where FGM/C is practiced.
Community Education Program
Our community program works to strengthen the capacity of communities affected by FGM/C through community empowerment, health education and promotion. We engage communities in co-design and partnership approaches, empowering women to thrive. We respect and value the culture, knowledge and skills of the communities we partner with, who are fundamental to the growth and scope of our program.
We work closely with peer educators and community leaders to plan and deliver health education and prevention activities, including emerging health needs identified by the community.
Community programs for women provide
- A safe space to share experiences and concerns
- A place to talk openly about their bodies and health without being judged
- An opportunity to learn practical ways to protect, support and improve their own health and the wellbeing of their families.
Sessions are offered in English or community languages and cover the following topics:
| Topic | Focus area |
|---|---|
| General health and wellbeing | Physical, emotional, and mental health for individuals and families. |
| Health effects of FGM/C | Understanding of the short- and long-term effects of FGM/C on women and girls. |
| Australian and NSW laws on FGM/C, including child protection | Legal protections and responsibilities. |
| Support for families | Information about health, counselling, and community support services. |
Men’s Advisory Group
The Men’s Advisory Group is made up of men from communities affected by FGM/C. The group:
- Helps engage men in health education and prevention activities
- Raises awareness about the health and social impacts of FGM/C
- Supports families in making informed decisions
- Encourages men to take an active role in preventing FGM/C and promoting wellbeing in their communities.
For more information or to partner with our Program email WSLHD-FGMEducationProgram@health.nsw.gov.au
Laws against FGM/C in NSW
The practice of female genital mutilation (FGM), also known as female circumcision or cutting FGM/C is illegal in NSW and throughout Australia. The laws are designed to protect the health, safety, and wellbeing of women and girls.
Key points of Laws Against FGM
- FGM is an offence under Section 45 of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW).
- The Crimes Amendment (Female Genital Mutilation) Act 2014 sets the maximum penalty for performing or arranging FGM at up to 21 years' imprisonment.
- The law applies to anyone usually resident in New South Wales (NSW), even if FGM is performed outside NSW or overseas.
- It is illegal to take or arrange to take someone out of NSW or Australia to have FGM performed.
- Consent, cultural, religious, or traditional practices do not exempt a person from the law.
Acts of FGM/C includes:
- Circumcision of a woman, girl, or baby
- Removing, cutting, stitching, or re-sewing any part of the female genitalia
- Pricking, piercing, scraping, incising, pulling, or burning the genital area
- Assisting, advising, or arranging for FGM to be carried out
- Traveling out of NSW or Australia to get it done.
Why It Matters
FGM/C is a serious violation of human rights and poses significant short and long-term risks to health, wellbeing, and safety. Reporting concerns can help protect girls at risk. Child protection is a shared community responsibility.
What to Do if Someone is at Risk
If you are concerned that a female baby, girl, or woman may be at risk of FGM/C in NSW, or at risk of being taken out of NSW or Australia for FGM/C, you should seek advice or report immediately:
NSW Police: at Triple Zero (000)
Child Protection Helpline: 132 111 (TTY 1800 212 936) - available 24 hours, 7 days a week
Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800
NSW FGM Program: 02 9840 3877 (Monday to Friday, leave a message if unattended)
If you need help in your language call:
Translation and Interpreting Service (TIS): 131 450 (call this number if you cannot speak English)
Related information
Read:
Helpful resources
Culture and language specific resources
- The Female Circumcision Booklet for communities in available in 8 languages online.
- Find translated resources on sexual health on the Multicultural Health Communication Service website.
Government support services
- NSW Refugee Health Service
- Women's Health Centres in NSW
- NSW Sexual Health Clinics
- NSW Sexual Health Infolink
- Specialist multicultural and refugee health services in NSW
- Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (STARRTS)
Health professionals
- Estimating the Prevalence of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (PDF 3.72MB)
- The FGM Clinic at Royal Women's Hospital
- Maternity-pregnancy and birthing care for women affected by Female Genital Mutilation / Cutting (NSW Health guideline)
- National Education Toolkit for Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting Awareness (NETFA)
Other websites
- Family Planning NSW
- National FGM Centre (United Kingdom)
- Multicultural HIV and Hepatitis Service
- FORWARD (Foundation for Women's Health, Research and Development) - African women-led organisation in the United Kingdom
- Jean Hailes Foundation (national not-for-profit organisation for women's health)
- National Foundation for Australian Women (advocacy, social policy, public education and engagement)
Contact us
Phone: (02) 9840 3877
Email: WSLHD-FGMEducationProgram@health.nsw.gov.au
Post: NSW Education Program on Female Genital Mutilation, Locked Bag 7118, Parramatta CBD BC NSW 2124
Address: Building 57, Jacaranda House, Cumberland Hospital Campus, 5 Fleet Street, North Parramatta NSW 2151