A compromised approach to female genital mutilation.
It's a controversial idea two gynaecologists are promoting in a new paper published in the Journal of Medical Ethics.
The article highlights that there’s been a small decline in non-therapeutic procedures on female external genitalia. It comes despite years of advocacy and legislation aimed at eliminating the practice.
The authors propose what they describe as a "compromise solution" that would still honour the religious and cultural requirements of the procedure.
Dr Allan Jacobs, Director of Gynaecologic Oncology at Coney Island Hospital in New York, is a co-author of the paper.
"Some of these groups who do this may be willing to modify the procedure to one which is not going to create either sexual or reproductive problems," he said.
The article suggests accommodating cultural beliefs while protecting the physical health of girls, using a modified form of FGM.
"It would be to jab the female genitalia with a lancet or a needle, just enough to draw blood and that would be the vulva nick," Dr Jacobs said.
The authors are also advocating for the conditions under which the so-called 'vuvla nick' is conducted be improved.
"If you put topical anaesthesia on it and did it under sterile conditions there'd be little or no pain and there'd be no danger," he said.
But it's raised the ire of anti-FGM campaigners, including from the not-profit group, No FGM Australia.
"It horrific that anyone would suggest that any sort of alteration or cutting or mutilation of any form could be acceptable. You are talking about an abuse, you are talking about an assault," said Paula Ferrari, the group's managing director.
She said the paper was having a negative impact on FGM survivors.
"They are incredibly stressed that people are trying to water down the idea that there are some forms of genital mutilation or cutting which are acceptable. Some people are so distressed they've gone into post-traumatic stress."
No FGM Australia estimates there are around 83,000 women affected by FGM in the country.
While globally the United Nations estimates at least 200 million girls and women have undergone some form of genital cutting.
