The reality of female genital mutilation in Catalonia 

In 2023, Catalan police, the Mossos d'Esquadra, identified twelve cases of girls under 18, and one of a young woman, at risk of genital mutilation if they traveled to their family's country of origin, according to police data analyzed by the Catalan News Agency (ACN).

Of the thirteen cases discovered in 2023, the average age of the girls was seven, and most of the cases were identified through their schools. In six of the 13 cases, judges asked for the girls' passports to be confiscated.

Female genital mutilation includes any procedure that alters or injures the female genitalia for non-medical reasons and is internationally recognized as a violation of the human rights, health and integrity of girls and women, according to the United Nations. 

FGM prevention: Schools and hospitals are key

Police intervention remains a last resort, as the majority of cases can be averted through prevention efforts in schools and hospitals. These institutions play a crucial role in preventing this form of violence.  

"We treat it as a health problem, not a legal one," say family doctors Carme Saperas and Rou Sánchez Collado. "We try to make them see that it is a health problem and a risk to the girls' lives."  

Family doctors point out that the countries of origin that make them vigilant are all in sub-Saharan Africa, although they clarify that the practice of mutilation varies greatly among ethnic groups and families.

"We don't want to stigmatize or blame them. It is a practice that happens in their country of origin, and we want to understand the family's perspective. We approach this work with cultural humility, asking questions without judgment," says Saperas.  

After the education and prevention process, if an at-risk family from one of these countries plans to travel to their country of origin, the doctors try to obtain a written commitment from the parents that their daughter will not be mutilated.  

In the vast majority of cases, the families return from their trips and a post-trip medical visit confirms that they have not been mutilated.    

However, in some situations, when the parents do not sign the document, doctors contact the Mossos d'Esquadra.

"They often believe that it is normal in their country and that there is nothing wrong with doing it here, and that it might even be good for the girl," says Sandra González of the Mossos' Victim Assistance and Monitoring Unit.

Health risks of female genital mutilation

Female genital mutilation can lead to many health complications. At the time of mutilation, severe bleeding can occur, leading to numerous infections, including HIV, as hygiene conditions are often very poor, and there is even a risk of death.  

Women who have undergone FGM can also experience chronic health problems such as scarring, painful menstruation and sexual relations, difficulty getting pregnant, and complications during childbirth.   

FGM can also lead to psychological problems and low self-esteem as girls become aware that their genitals have been mutilated. Some girls, especially older ones, may suffer from post-traumatic stress.  

• February 6 is the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation.