Prof Angela Dawson:
Welcome to the Faculty of Health here at the University of Technology, Sydney. Our collaborative research improves the health of pregnant women, children and adolescents in Australia with a particular focus on the Asia-Pacific region.
Prof Kathleen Baird:
30% of all women who experience domestic and family violence, the first incident of family violence will occur during pregnancy. What we are hoping, by researching and by talking about this, is to take away that stigma and shame, but also for women to feel safe, to be able to say, "Yes, I'm in a violent relationship. Yes, I feel I need support."
Prof Angela Dawson:
There are about 200 million women and girls who are affected by female genital mutilation, FGM, in the world today. It's estimated there are about 54,000 women and girls in Australia who have FGM.
Prof Sabera Turkmani:
The practise originated from Horn of Africa and then migrated to Middle East, but most people are thinking that this practise is just going on in those parts of the world. We have seen more and more women in developed countries, such as Australia. My research was to bring up more evidence in the area of maternal health, in relation to health of those women who have undergone this practise. It's very important for the health professionals to have a cultural knowledge and know how to provide culturally sensitive and safe care to those women.
Prof Kathleen Baird:
In pregnancy, women are asked very sensitive questions about that lifestyle by midwives. So trust is really, really important in that relationship, when midwives step into that space and start to ask those questions, but we have to think about how we ask it. Asking that question in the right way is really, really important, which is why education and training and support for professionals in this space is really, really important.
Prof Sabera Turkmani:
The other area which these women really desire in their care, that they should be involved in the process of their care as equal part, not just sitting there and being told by providers what they should do.
Prof Kathleen Baird:
Having their voice and understanding what works for them is really, really important in this work. I would not dream of doing this work without their involvement.
Prof Angela Dawson:
This is a key part of patient-centred care, is ensuring that women are at the forefront of their care and are involved in shared decision making. We need to ensure that clinicians are talking to women in a way that's appropriate and meaningful and relevant, and takes their values and preferences for care into that space.
Prof Sabera Turkmani:
My key message for health providers, women know a lot about their body and what is their need. When you're providing care to the women, especially those who are coming from a different culture with a special need, such as those who have been affected with female genital inhalation, consider their needs and count them as part of the care. Make yourself competent and confident in providing safe care to those who are in need.
