The purpose of this indicator is to evaluate the reach of training programs designed for health service providers in managing and counseling complications arising from FGM. These programs are essential in equipping healthcare professionals with the necessary competencies to offer culturally sensitive and medically informed care to women and girls affected by FGM. Recent systematic reviews highlight the significance of such training, demonstrating substantial improvements in the knowledge and attitudes of healthcare providers regarding FGM. Post-training, caregivers showed a marked increase in their ability to recognize different types of FGM and list its complications, reflecting an enhanced understanding crucial for effective patient care (Belfour et al., 2016). Furthermore, the World Health Organization (WHO) has emphasized the need for high-quality care by launching a clinical handbook to assist healthcare workers in providing empathetic and specialized care to FGM survivors. This handbook is a comprehensive resource that covers the management of gynecological, urological, and obstetric complications, alongside providing mental and sexual health support (WHO, 2018). The integration of FGM content into nursing and midwifery curricula is a pivotal step towards ensuring that the upcoming generation of healthcare providers is well-prepared to address the physical and psychosocial impacts of FGM. These curricula are offered on the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) website.

The recommended management for obstetric complications includes the following:

• Psychological support: The physical and psychological trauma of FGM is likely to leave women terrified of childbirth and trigger anxiety and depression.
• Assessment at the first antenatal care visit: The extent of damage and degree of the physical barrier must be determined.
• Advice on the importance of good nutrition: Women who have undergone FGM may try to limit the size of the baby by cutting down on food, hoping that a smaller baby will result in an easier birth.
• Monitoring urinary tract infections: Women with FGM can experience difficulty in emptying the bladder due to scar tissue. They are also more prone to urinary tract infection and vaginal infection.
• Defibulation: Early defibulation (surgically opening the vaginal opening) has the advantage that it makes vaginal examinations possible, avoids the need for a suitably trained person to perform it at delivery, and prevents excessive blood loss at delivery (Rashid and Rashid, 2007).

This indicator will provide a measure of coverage of trained personnel per geographic area of interest and will help monitor whether or not a program is attaining its target number of trained providers.