Report Broken Link

From different horizons: childbirth, tradition and politics

Abstract:

I wish to share with you a unique opportunity I had to consider childbirth from a different horizon, and to ponder on how the political, cultural context shapes midwifery practice. I further seek to show the courage, commitment and innovation that needs to be enacted to take people to a new standpoint. In January 2001 I had the privilege of visiting Mali to monitor World Vision projects… One project related specifically to the eradication of female genital mutilation (FGM), and through this encounter I made a brief visit to a maternity hospital… It has been my experience that in coming face to face with ‘difference’, one more clearly comes to see the things that are taken for granted within the New Zealand maternity services.

 view online article View Document

colonisation, cultural differences, female circumcision, female genital mutilation (FGM)