What are harmful traditional practices?
Harmful
traditional practices are forms of violence which have been committed
primarily against women and girls in certain communities and societies
for so long that they are considered, or presented by perpetrators, as
part of accepted cultural practice.
The most common are:
- Forced or early marriage
- can
be defined as ‘a marriage in which one or both spouses do not (or, in
the case of some adults with learning or physical disabilities, cannot)
consent to the marriage and duress is involved’.
- So-called ‘honour’-based violence
- any
type of physical or psychological violence committed in the name of
‘honour’ predominantly against women for actual or perceived immoral
behaviour, which is deemed to have shamed their family or community.
- Female genital mutilation or cutting (FGM)
- refers to procedures that intentionally alter or injure female genital organs for non-medical reasons.
Victims
of forced marriage and “honour” based violence often experience abuse
within the relationship. Rape, physical, emotional and psychological
violence, forced pregnancy and restrictions on freedom of dress,
behaviour and lifestyle are common. Some women are virtually under
house arrest, and may only be allowed out if accompanied by family
members.
Who is at risk?
The key risk factor for experiencing forced marriage and ‘honour’-based violence is being female.
Younger women are the main victims although men are also sometimes affected.
The
majority of those seeking advice for forced marriage are Asian women
and tend to be aged between 18 and 23. FGM is most frequently carried
out on young girls between infancy and the age of 15.
Health impact
Harmful
traditional practices encompasses a range of abuse which results in
physical and psychological harm, disability and even death for
significant numbers of women.
Patients may present with physical, sexual and mental health issues. Some of the signs to look out for include:
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Women may present to health professionals with many of the same problems evident in women experiencing domestic abuse. Other potential indicators are:
- Family history of older siblings marrying early
- Withdrawal from education, or for women with physical or learning disabilities, withdrawal from their social networks or day care
- A young woman being taken to the doctor to be examined to see if she is a virgin
- Possible presentation of symptoms associated with poisoning
- Less commonly, a woman’s hair may have been cut or shaved as punishment
Remember
– a woman may be a virtual prisoner at home, so seeing health staff may
be a rare opportunity for her to tell someone about what is happening.
Your role as a health worker
As
a health worker you are in a unique position to respond to any form of
harmful traditional practice by treating the patient with respect and
dignity and by:
- Being aware of the possibility of such abuse
- Understanding the cultural context
- Recognizing signs and symptoms
- Initiating discussion
- Assessing safety
- Documenting your findings (not in handheld notes)
- Giving correct information
- Be sensitive to different needs and ensure all patients can access services equally, for example by providing professional interpreting services
Further information on what to look for and what you can do to help can be found in the guidance.
The presence of domestic abuse may
also mean that dependent children are at risk of serious harm. If you
suspect this, you should follow local child protection procedures and
seek a multi-agency response to increasing safety for those affected.
Source : NATIONAL GENDER BASED VIOLENCE AND HEALTH PROGRAMME
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