Why is the Muskoka Fund offering free reconstructive surgery for FGM survivors in Ivory Coast?

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The Muskoka Fund Provides Free Reconstructive Surgery for FGM Survivors in Ivory Coast to Enhance Accessibility and Support for Affected Women

The Muskoka Fund is offering free reconstructive surgery for survivors of female genital mutilation (FGM) in Ivory Coast as part of an initiative to provide essential medical treatment in public hospitals. This program aims to ensure that women who cannot afford private medical care can still access necessary reconstructive procedures. The initiative, established by the French government in 2010, has a dedicated budget and includes a crucial component for training hospital obstetricians in these specialized techniques.
Addressing Financial Barriers to Treatment

A primary objective of the Muskoka Fund's initiative is to eliminate financial barriers that prevent FGM survivors from receiving reconstructive surgery. The program ensures that this treatment is available in public hospitals, making it accessible to those who cannot afford the higher costs associated with private doctors. This approach directly addresses the disparity in healthcare access, as highlighted by a woman who paid a significant sum in neighbouring Burkina Faso for an operation that was never performed.
Comprehensive Care and Training Component

Beyond providing the surgery itself, the initiative encompasses a substantial training program for hospital obstetricians. This component is designed to build local capacity by equipping surgeons from several French-speaking African countries, including Ivory Coast, with the skills for female genital reconstruction. Furthermore, the program includes seven paramedics, predominantly midwives, to offer comprehensive care, including vital psychosocial support to prevent stigmatisation of the women undergoing the procedure.
Combating a Human Rights Violation

The Muskoka Fund's efforts are situated within a broader global context of combating FGM, which is internationally recognised as a human rights violation. Statistics from Unicef indicate that over 230 million girls and women worldwide have undergone FGM, with Ivory Coast having one in three women as victims. The reconstructive surgery offered by the fund is seen as a significant step in addressing the physical and psychological impact of this practice, with former patients becoming advocates for change.

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Why is the Muskoka Fund offering free reconstructive surgery for FGM survivors in Ivory Coast?

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