FARREP (Family and Reproductive Rights Education Program)

The Family and Reproductive Rights Education Program (FARREP) works to prevent female genital cutting (FGC) and support the health and wellbeing of women and girls impacted by FGC. It was first launched in 1998 by the Victorian Government.

What is FGC?

FGC is any procedure that causes harm or changes female genital organs for non-medical reasons. FGC is done on purpose, not by accident. Across the world, FGC is thought to have impacted 200 million girls and women alive today.

FGC can cause:

• Severe bleeding
• Problems urinating
• Cysts and infections
• Childbirth complications.

FGC is a human rights violation and help is available to you if you have experienced it.

cohealth’s FARREP program is for Victorians who have migrated from countries where FGC has been known to be traditionally practiced.

FARREP at cohealth

The FARREP team at cohealth is made up of experienced and trained community development workers, who speak one or more of the languages of FGC-affected communities.

The team:

• supports and advocates for girls and women affected by FGC to get the best care and information about their health
• refers women to other services they need
• works with communities and their families to provide information about FGC and the law in Australia for the prevention of FGC
• provides community-wide education about all aspects of the FGC practice and build the capacity of the communities to facilitate a supportive community environment
• builds collaboration, partnership and capacity with health practitioners with the aim to improve the health and wellbeing of communities affected by FGC and community access to culturally appropriate health services.

The team is also able to help and support other health professionals so that they can work with women and girls with FGC and their families in a culturally appropriate and sensitive way and increase access to health services.

To access the FARREP program, please contact the FARREP team:

Maria Ibrahim

Maria.ibrahim@cohealth.org.au

0402 690 173

Monday, Tuesday and Thursday (9:00am-5:00pm)

Nagat Abdalla

Nagat.abdalla@cohealth.org.au

0473 612 823

Tuesday and Thursday (9:00am-5:00pm)

Abdi Moalin

Abdi.moalin@cohealth.org.au

0409 941 859

Tuesday and Thursday (9:00am-5:00pm)