Toimintaohjelmalla tuetaan työtä tyttöjen ympärileikkausten estämiseksi
All forms of female genital mutilation are a breach of human rights. Such mutilation is a form of vio-lence prohibited by the Criminal Code of Finland. For nearly two decades, efforts have been underway in Finland to stop and prevent female genital mutilation practised on girls and women. More needs to be done. The newly published Action Plan supports this work.
The objective of the Action Plan for the prevention of circumcision of girls and women is to create permanent national and regional structures, in order to prevent the genital mutilation of girls and women. Finland must have a functional system and unambiguous guidelines in order to prevent cir-cumcisions, to intervene if there is a risk of circumcision, to protect children and to make the mutilators accountable, before the law, for their actions.
The Action Plan also acts as a recommendation to municipalities. Municipalities with large numbers of residents of immigrant background are asked to prepare detailed plans on the organisation of local pre-ventive work.
Support for professionals encountering circumcised girlsThe Action Plan was also prepared in support of those whose work includes encountering girls who have been mutilated or face the threat of mutilation, and their families. Despite being a sensitive topic, female genital mutilation must be discussed with all immigrant families who come from countries where this tradition is still practised.
Responsibility for discussing and preventing circumcision lies with all health care professionals who encounter families with children, such as workers in maternity and child clinics, school and student health care and social welfare.
The Action Plan is also Finland's response to international commitments concerning the promotion of human rights among women and children, and the prevention of violence against women.
Maire Kolimaa, Ministerial Adviser, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, tel. +358 50 524 5256
Heidi Manns-Haatanen, Senior Officer, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, tel. +358 50 525 2309
Marja Tiilikainen, Docent, University of Helsinki, author of the Action Plan, tel. +358 40 747 4474
Janneke Johansson, Special Adviser, Finnish League for Human Rights, the Whole Woman project, tel. +358 44 742 0403
Publications
Action Plan for the prevention of circumcision of girls and women 2012-2016 (FGM) (30.8.2012)