Reconstruction after FGM/C starts with your questions

About this work

ASK FGM/C is a Priority Setting Partnership, run in collaboration with the James Lind Alliance. We bring together survivors, family members, health professionals and community organisations, and we ask them all the same thing: what do you want to know about reconstruction that no one has been able to answer yet? The questions that matter most will guide what research is done next.

We are focusing on reconstruction and broader care after FGM/C.

Together we will agree a Top 10 list of priorities and share it with researchers and the organisations that fund research, so that future studies focus on what matters most.

Why this matters

• Many women and girls in the UK and around the world are survivors of FGM/C. It can have lasting effects on physical health, sexual wellbeing, emotional wellbeing and everyday life.
• Reconstruction and care after FGM/C can include surgery, as well as psychological support, sexual health support and physiotherapy.
• Access to this care varies. In the UK some options, such as clitoral reconstruction, are not available on the NHS. Clear information and specialist advice can be hard to find.
• There is not enough research to answer many of the questions women ask. Research money is limited, so it should go to the questions that matter most.

This is an opportunity to share what matters most and help decide where research goes next.

What we mean by reconstruction

We use the word in a broad way: any care that aims to help a woman's body, comfort, sexual wellbeing, emotional wellbeing or quality of life after FGM/C. This can mean:

• different types of surgery (for example, clitoral or labial reconstruction, or treatment of scars)
• the role of non-surgical care, such as psychological support and pelvic health physiotherapy

You might be in favour of reconstruction or against it, be going through it, or have had it already. Every experience is welcome.

The process

1. ✓Build the partnershipDoneWomen with lived experience, advocates and clinicians from many countries.
2. 2Collect questionsWe are here
3. 3Check the evidenceWhich questions are still unanswered?
4. 4Rank themA second survey picks the most important.
5. 5Agree the Top 10A final workshop led by the James Lind Alliance. Everyone is invited! Get in touch if you would like to attend.

Our Steering Group

Lived experience, community knowledge and clinical expertise from the UK, Europe and Africa.

• 
  Aurora AlmadoriPSP Lead, University College London, Plastic Surgeon (UK)
• 
  Yewande YusufPSP Coordinator, Queen's University Belfast, Medical Student (UK)
• 
  Caroline MageeJames Lind Alliance Adviser and PSP Chair
• 
  Toto GronlundJames Lind Alliance Information Specialist

• 
  Basma KamelAdvocate and Lived Experience Expert (UK)
• 
  Fatou GassamaAdvocate and Lived Experience Expert, Holistic Support Ltd (UK)
• 
  Kaltuma Mohamed AbdiAdvocate and Lived Experience Expert (Italy and Somalia)
• 
  ZaharaAdvocate and Lived Experience Expert (UK)
• 
  Marzia BianchiExpert in human rights and women’s rights, Advocate and Lived Experience Expert Carer (Italy)
• 
  Annemarie MiddelburgConsultant in Human Rights Law and Women’s Rights (the Netherlands)
• 
  Esther HansenClinical Psychologist (UK)
• 
  Esther KuriaConsultant Nurse in Gynaecology (UK)
• 
  Hodan SalahTherapist and Interpreter (UK)
• 
  Isioma OkoloObstetrician and Gynaecologist (UK)
• 
  Jasmine AbdulcadirObstetrician and Gynaecologist (Switzerland)
• 
  Naana Otoo-OyorteyExecutive Director, FORWARD (UK)
• 
  Peter ButlerPlastic Surgeon (UK)
• 
  Rachel VivaPelvic Health Physiotherapy and FGM/C Safeguarding (UK)
• 
  Refaat KarimPlastic Surgeon (the Netherlands and Spain)
• 
  Reham AwwadPlastic Surgeon (Egypt)
• 
  Sohier ElneilUrogynaecology and Women’s Health Advocate (UK and Nigeria)
• 
  Toks OkeniyiHead of UK Programmes, FORWARD (UK)
• 
  Uwe von FritschenPlastic Surgeon (Germany)

Other contributors

Professional and community voices who support the partnership with their expertise and help us reach more community voices. The Steering Group makes the decisions.

Coming soon

Partners

We work with charities, community groups and professional societies in the UK and around the world, so that every voice is heard and no one is left out.

Led by

Partner associations

GAMSBelgium

Partner scientific societiesComing soon

Want to be a partner? Email hello@askfgmc.org.

Research priorities

Helpful links

Coming soon

News & events

Frequently asked questions

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