Today was one of the most emotional days of this trip so far. We started our morning by going to BCU and learning about female genital mutilation. Before this lecture, I honestly didn’t know much about this topic other than just knowing what the term means. I had no idea how widespread it is, how much history it has, or how devastating the physical and emotional effects can be for women and girls.
One of the first things we learned from the FGM lecture was that FGM is rooted in ancient Egypt, where it was a sign of aristocratic distinction. Hearing this shocked me because I never realized this practice had existed for many centuries. Over time, this practice became a way for society to take full control over women and their bodies. This procedure involves the partial or complete removal of the external genitalia and is most common in young girls between infancy and the age 15. What stood out to me the most was learning that no religion supports this procedure, despite the fact that many people assume it is tied to religious beliefs.
The statistics we learned were heartbreaking. FGM is practiced in 31 countries, and around 230 million girls and women alive today are subjected to it. About 4 million girls are at risk every year. Hearing those numbers made me feel sick to my stomach and overwhelmed. I think sometimes when we hear statistics, it is easy to disconnect from them, but sitting in that lecture made me think about the fact that every number represents a women with a life, emotions, and pain.
I also learned that there are several different types of FGM, which I had no idea about before today. Some procedures involve partial or total removal of the clitoris, others involve the clitoris and the labia minora, and some even involve the removal or apposition of the labia majora. There are also other forms that involve stretching, burning, or even piercing the genitalia. Learning about the different forms was painful to hear because of how traumatic these experiences are. The lecture also discussed the immediate and long term effects that can result from FGM, including severe pain, excessive bleeding, infections, complications during childbirth, depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. It made me realize how much both physical and emotional suffering these girls endure, often without having any choice or understanding of what is happening to them.
As someone interested in healthcare and nursing, I found it really important to learn about the laws and responsibilities surrounding FGM in the UK. We learned about the UK Female Genital Mutilation Act, which states that FGM is illegal in the UK, and it is also illegal to take a UK citizen abroad to undergo the procedure. Nurses and healthcare professionals are required to report cases of FGM in girls under the age of 18. I think this really shows how important healthcare workers are in protecting vulnerable populations. Nurses are not only there to treat physical conditions, but also to advocate for patient safety, human rights, and wellbeing. This lecture reminded me that being a nurse means being educated about cultural practices while still standing up for the health and dignity of patients.
After the lecture, we went to Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and honestly, this part of the day affected me deeply. The moment we walked into the hospital, I could already feel how emotional the experience was going to be. We learned a lot about how the hospital system works and how healthcare teams care for critically ill children and their families. We started with a tour of the hospital, and my favorite part was visiting the chapel. Families were able to write notes to loved ones who had passed away, and seeing those messages completely broke my heart. Reading the notes made me think about how much pain and grief families go through when losing a child. I started crying because it felt so personal and emotional, even though I did not know the families.
We also toured the PICU and ICU, and seeing the children there was incredibly difficult for me emotionally. Seeing kids connected to machines and surrounded by healthcare workers made everything feel very real. At the same time, it also showed me how strong nurses, doctors, and families have to be every single day. One of the most beautiful things we learned about was the family homes the hospital provides. These homes allow families to stay together and spend precious time with their loved ones during critical situations or even during the final moments of a child’s life. I thought this was such a compassionate and beautiful idea because families need comfort and support just as much as patients do. It made me wonder if hospitals in the United States provide similar opportunities for families, because I think it is something every hospital should have.
Overall, I learned so much today that is going to stick with me deeply. To end off my day, I can’t wait to go out with my friends and see where the night takes us!