Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting Capacity Building Webinar for Health and Community Practitioners

Delivered by FARREP (Monash Health) in partnership with WHISE

Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) is a complex global health and human rights issue that continues to impact women and girls living in Australia. Health and community practitioners play a critical role in providing safe, informed, and appropriate care; yet many report low confidence in recognising, responding to, and supporting individuals affected by FGM/C.

This interactive professional development webinar will build foundational knowledge and practical skills to support culturally safe, evidence-based responses to FGM/C in both clinical and community settings.

Delivered in partnership with the Family and Reproductive Rights Education Program (FARREP), the session draws on specialist expertise in prevention, workforce development, and community engagement.

This webinar is designed for practitioners working across health and community services, including:

• Nurses and Nurse Practitioners, midwives, GPs, obstetricians and allied health practitioners

• Child and family health practitioners

• Community health and social service workers

• Mental health, sexual and reproductive health and safeguarding professionals

• Bicultural workers and community engagement staff

This session will provide an overview of:

• Understanding FGM/C including definitions, terminology, and WHO classifications

• Global and Australian context including prevalence, migration patterns, and implications for practice

• Health impacts of FGM/C including immediate and long-term physical, sexual, reproductive and psychological effects

• Legal and safeguarding frameworks including legal status in Australia, mandatory reporting obligations, and risk identification

• Responding in practice including recognising indicators of risk, responding appropriately, and engaging with individuals and communities using culturally sensitive and trauma-informed approaches

• Referral pathways and supports including accessing specialist services, clinical care, counselling, and community resources

• The role of FARREP including workforce capacity building, prevention, and community engagement in Victoria

This webinar aims to:

• Strengthen practitioner knowledge and confidence

• Build capability to provide culturally safe, informed and legally compliant responses

• Improve understanding of referral pathways and support services

• Support prevention and early identification of risk

Event details

Date: Wednesday 25 November

Time: 12-1pm

Format: Online webinar via Zoom

This session is an opportunity to strengthen your practice and contribute to safer, more responsive care for women and girls affected by FGM/C.

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