HHS awards $6 Million to Improve Female Genital Cutting-related Health Care Services for Women and Girls in the United States

As part of the Administration’s efforts to address female genital cutting (FGC) and its effects in the U. S., the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health (OWH) today announced more than $6 million in grant awards over a 3-year period to cities across the nation. Eight sites covering thirteen cities were selected to address the gaps and problems in FGC-related health care services for women and girls living in the U.S. who experienced FGC. The funds will also be used to prevent FGC of women and girls living in the U.S. who are at risk for having the procedure conducted here or in another country.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that as many as 513,000 women and girls in the U.S. may have been at risk for FGC or its consequences in 2012.

“Female Genital Cutting comes with real physical, emotional and psychosocial costs for women and girls in communities throughout our nation,” said Karen B. DeSalvo, M.D., acting assistant secretary for health. “These awards represent an important step forward in our fight to end Female Genital Cutting. By working closely with advocates, religious groups, medical centers, universities, non-profits and partners in the public sector, we will identify those at risk while providing support and specialized care for survivors in need.”

The organizations selected to participate are:

• Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona
• Family Health Centers of San Diego Inc., San Diego, California
• Maine Access Immigrant Network, Portland and Lewiston, Maine
• Nationalities Service Center, Greater Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• African Cultural Alliance of North America, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, Minneapolis, Minnesota and Erie, Pennsylvania
• United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Minneapolis, Minnesota, San Antonio and Houston, Texas, Salt Lake City, Utah, and Arlington, Virginia
• The George Washington University, Metropolitan Washington, D.C.

“The awards show our commitment to improving the health of women and girls affected by Female Genital Cutting through community-supported initiatives. We also want to prevent FGC for girls most at-risk which will involve identifying risk factors and putting mechanisms in place that protect the girls,” said Nancy C. Lee, M.D., deputy assistant secretary for health-women’s health and director of OWH. 

For additional information on OWH’s programs and initiatives visit: www.womenshealth.gov.

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