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Training course in female genital mutilation 2023

A public health approach to addressing female genital mutilation

Course coordinators
Wisal Ahmed
Christina Pallitto
Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health & Research, World Health Organization (Geneva)

Collaborating partners: Geneva Foundation for Medical Education and Research (GFMER) and the Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health & Research, World Health Organization (WHO)

Female Genital Mutilation is a harmful practice performed on at least 200 million girls and women alive today. It has no health benefit and the treatment of its health complications is estimated at 1.4 billion dollars annually.

The health sector has an important role to play in both FGM prevention and care of its health complications. The World Health Organization has developed multiple resources to support health care providers and health systems decision makers in their roles in advocacy, as agents of change and in the provision of quality clinical services.

This course aims to sensitize health care providers and decision makers on the existent resources and to build essential knowledge and skills related to FGM prevention and care.

Overall Course Goal

To sensitize health professionals on WHO resources and tools for the different roles they play as health systems decision makers, agents of change among their peers, patients and community.

Specific Learning Outcomes

The course will use diverse learning methodologies to achieve the following six learning outcomes:

  1. Increased knowledge on FGM relevant to participants’ contextual setting
  2. Improved understanding of the drivers of FGM and FGM medicalization
  3. Greater reflection of one’s own values and attitudes around FGM and how these are related to those of practicing communities
  4. Improved understanding of roles and responsibilities of health care providers in providing FGM prevention and care services
  5. Skills-building on key aspects of person centered care in addressing FGM
    1. Person-centered communication for FGM prevention
    2. Management of FGM complications
  6. Better awareness of the legal and accountability measures to stop FGM including FGM medicalization
  7. Skills building in developing advocacy plans and interventions to address FGM, which is informed by contextual setting and needs

Introduction to the course

Course overview (watch the video)

Basic content of the course

  1. Female Genital Mutilation – An overview and introduction to WHO resources on FGM
  2. FGM drivers and understanding one’s own and the community’s values on FGM
  3. Roles and responsibilities of health professionals in addressing FGM
  4. Applying a person-centered approach in FGM prevention and care of its complications
  5. Legal and accountability measures on FGM and its medicalization
  6. Advocating for and planning interventions to address FGM

Topics to be covered in the course

Module 1: Introduction and FGM Beliefs, traditions, and values

Module 2: Person-centred approach for FGM prevention and care

Module 3: Management of FGM-related complications

Module 4: Health sector response to addressing FGM: Advocacy, strategic health planning and FGM Research – overview of ethical guidance

Course module developers

Geneva Foundation for Medical Education and Research

  • Dr Raqibat Idris, MBBS, DO, MPH
  • Dr Aseel Mugahed, MBBS, PGDPH, MSc Global Health
  • Dr Fariza Rahman, MBBS, MSc
  • Dr Melaku Samuel, MD, MSc, PhD candidate

Course module reviewers

World Health Organization

  • Dr Wisal Ahmed, MBChB, MPH, PhD
  • Dr Vernon Oyaro, MBChB, MPH, PhD
  • Dr Christina Pallitto, PhD, MHS

Course audience

Health professionals involved in reproductive and sexual health (including doctors, midwives, nurses, health educators), and reproductive and sexual health program and program implementation managers.

Teaching-learning methods to be used in course

Teaching methods consist of on-line lectures (recorded, didactic presentations), guest speakers, key readings, additional references and referrals to related websites.

For each module, participants will receive:

  • A set of slides with accompanying notes with references/resources where applicable
  • The link to a short video (for select modules)
  • 2 – 3 live and recorded webinars (for the entire course)
  • An assignment with questions to apply the knowledge gained to their own settings including development of a three-month plan summarized in a presentation to peers.

Teaching Language

The teaching language of the course is English.

What is required of you?

For each module, participants must:

  • Study the video presentations and slide sets.
  • Read all accompanying documents.
  • Complete the module assignment, after going through the slide set and documents.
  • Review the feedback provided by the coach.

Note: A personal coach will be assigned to each participant, whose role is to support and guide their learning process.

Course validation and certificate

In-order to obtain the certificate:

  • Participants are required to have completed the assignments that are part of each module.
  • Participants are required to complete and submit the end of course survey.

The successful participants will receive a certificate signed by the World Health Organization’s Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research/Human Reproduction Programme and the Geneva Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

Course duration: 4 weeks

Course fee: USD 200.00

Important dates

Start date: 22 March 2023

End date: 18 April 2023

Application deadline: 10 March 2023

Payment deadline: 17 March 2023

Application

To apply for the course, you should submit the completed application form and send the required enclosures by email to the course email address (fgm@gfmer.org).

Click to access the Application form

Enclosures

Please send the following documents by email to the course email address.

  • A curriculum vitae, including sections on current and previous positions
  • A letter of motivation stating clearly your interests and reasons for applying to the Course (1 page / 500 words maximum).

Course email: fgm@gfmer.org

Contact

Geneva Foundation for Medical Education and Research
Chemin de Beau-Soleil 12
1206 Geneva - Switzerland
Website: https://www.gfmer.ch
E-mail: info@gfmer.org