
In Ealing, Hammersmith &
Fulham

Sponsored By
West
London Health Promotion Agency
Hammersmith and Fulham Team
Report
compiled by Elizabeth Kayembe
Edited
by Mary Kanu
Who
we are
Development
Support Agency is set up to relieve poverty, sickness and distress of African
women by raising awareness, disseminating information and advancing education among
African women, including refugees and asylum seekers, displaced and trafficked
women, and those facing all other forms of abuse and exploitation in rural and
urban communities, in England & Wales and Africa.
Our
Our
mission is to support and promote an integrated approach to issues of poverty,
ill health, injustice and imbalances in gender relations in African
communities, in
Our
Vision
Our
vision is a world in which African women and their communities are empowered to
promote their interests and live free of perennial poverty, ill health, lack of
decision-making powers and other forms of disempowerment and exploitation.
DSA
aims to promote and uphold the principles and values of:
Our objectives
Our
Thematic Areas
Our
work falls under four thematic areas:
·
·
Community Health
·
Community Involvement
·
Project Support
The
Capacity Building Programme is designed to provide training and opportunities
for skills development for community organisations to enable them harness
available natural and human resources for their personal and collective social
and economic advancement. Our training courses are designed to build the
capacity of community organisations to enable them set up and manage community
initiatives that will tackle poverty, ill health and gender inequities.
The
Community Health Programme is designed to promote Primary Health Care and
provide information, advice, training and a referral service on health issues
such as HIV/AIDS and sexual health, maternal and reproductive health, female
genital mutilation, malaria, disabilities, nutrition, sanitation, and screening
for cancer, diabetes, heart diseases, sickle cell anaemia and mental health.
This
programme is the main thrust of our Africa Programme. It is designed to
encourage African women, men and youth to harness the natural and human
resources in their communities for their collective development. Through support
for community initiatives, the programme will draw on the expertise of members
of the community to address issues of poverty, health education, the
environment, disability, gender inequity, orphans, widowhood, violence, gender
violence, community safety, conflict and peace management.
Project
Support Services
The
Project Support Services is designed to provide consultancy services in the
areas of information, advice, good governance, conflict management, peace
building, training and technical assistance, and ongoing support to statutory
and non-statutory organisations, especially those in Africa, to enable them to
function effectively and efficiently.
Contact
Us
Development
Support Agency
Talbot
House,
Phone:
020 8429 5949 Fax:020 8429 5950
Email:
info@developmentsupport.org
Website:
www.developmentsupport.org
Overall Aim
To
build the capacities of community advocates to raise awareness on the practice
and consequences of female genital mutilation (FGM) among refugees and African
migrant communities in Ealing, Hounslow, and Hammersmith and Fulham (EHH).
Background
to the workshops
The
magnitude and implications of FGM among African women, men and young people was
highlighted during a series of community outreach and information sharing
workshops recently organized to address the issue. This first phase of the
project was aimed at developing a participatory approach for sustainable
empowerment of women to campaign against FGM. The information gathered during
the events shows that even though the practice of FGM has been outlawed in the
Among
the health and social consequences they listed was difficulty in passing urine,
slow menstrual flow, migraine, dehydration, urine retention, excessive bleeding
during intercourse, infection, painful sex or no sex at all, lack of childhood,
stigma for both women and men, marriage breakdown, and risk of infections from
partners going outside to have sex.
For
most of the women, this was the first time they were able to openly share their
experiences. Besides the difficulty of openly discussing their problems within
the community because of socio-cultural pressures, they complained of lack of
access to information, advice and support from community groups.
Below are some of the recommendations made by the
women:
The men also made the following recommendations:
To
address some of the needs highlighted above, DSA organised these workshops as a
first step in a series of planned intervention programmes. The workshops
enabled us to support and equip a group of women volunteers in the first
instance to become community advocates. The project built their personal
capacities to raise awareness on the practice and consequences of FGM.
The
aim of these workshops was to build the capacities of community advocates to
raise awareness on the practice and highlight the consequences of the practice,
including the legal implications on practicing communities.
At
the end of this workshop, the women were charged with the mission of going out
to the community to transfer this awareness to others.
Workshop
Sessions
The
workshops were divided into two. The first workshop was on Advocacy and
Mobilisation Skills. The second workshop was on Negotiation and Presentation
Skills. These workshops were held on March 20 and 27 2004, respectively. The trainer
for these workshops was Mary Kanu, the Director of DSA (Development Support
Agency).
The
workshop started with an introduction of the issue of female genital
mutilation, a recap of the outreach events and workshops organized to raise
awareness in the community in 2003, and the report of that event. Below is the
outline of the session:
1. Welcome and Introductions
Part
Two:
Advocacy Skills
Part
Three:
Mobilisation Skills
Why
advocacy and mobilisation on FGM?
Part
Four: Let’s
Talk (Documentary on FGM)
Part
Two:
Negotiation and Presentation Skills
Part
Three: The
out reach pack:
Participants
were briefed on the effective use of the contents of the outreach pack to
enable them use every item as a tool to inform and persuade.
Contents of the outreach pack
The
workshops focused on creating awareness on Female Genital Mutilation, its
practices and implications to the victim and her community and equipping the
participants with the information that would enable them to campaign
effectively on this practice. There was also the added piece of vital information
about new legislation on against FGM and how it affects the community.
The
main learning points were drawn from the skills training on advocacy &
mobilization, negotiation and presentation skills. The community advocates were
equipped with information as well as knowledge and skills about approaching
victims as well as practitioners of this harmful cultural practice.
The
women also watched video presentations (Let us talk and Another Form of
Physical Abuse). There was a specialist presentation by Eunice Munanie, a
specialist on women’s sexual health, on the statistics on FGM and what recourse
exists for the traumatised.
As a
result of these presentations, a discussion emerged, where the participants
were recorded to put forward the following views:
This
report back session highlights the work carried out by the community advocates
for the campaign against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) among Refugees and
Asylum Seekers and other African migrant communities in Ealing, Hounslow,
Hammersmith and Fulham.
The
Community Advocates were in the field for six weeks during which they worked
hard to reach people in the community. As a result of their hard work, they
reported more than 250 personal contacts with people they have informed about
the consequences of FGM both from the legal perspective as well as from the
well being of the victims.
The
women went out to find out about the awareness of the impact of FGM on women
and girls in their community. They also went to find out the reception of the
legislation regarding FGM. The women also went to gauge the attitude of other
members of the community on whether FGM should be stopped and why. 12 women in
all participated in this exercise.
The
women visited all possible meeting places. Some places recorded were: homes, a
wedding ceremony, a youth centre, an IT/ESOL college, the mosque (at different
parts within the mosque), at a conference, in someone’s office, at an art
centre and even on the street.
Participants
presented a summary report on their findings. They recorded the general
attitude that they encountered with each respondent. Below is a representation
of the women’s reporting. This section is followed by a statistical analysis of
the findings completed on the questionnaires.
Asha:

Ayan
and Luul:

They
worked together to visit community groups in Forest Gate. They visited Forest
Gate community centre where girls meet every Saturday. 7 women, a mix of single
women as well as mums attended. The young women said they can’t stop FGM but
they will stop it from happening to their children. The mothers seemed to have
great trouble accepting the change that is taking place in their culture and
traditions that are being discarded.
Many
women asked questions about the effects of FGM. Some young women mentioned
effects such as urine retention, and interrupted bleeding during menstruation,
backache and painful intercourse.
In
conclusion, the mothers were unhappy about the campaign because it was
contradicting their culture, but the girls were more positive.
At
the Elbow centre in Forest Gate, the researchers spoke to women attending
English classes. Many were unaware of other types of FGM practiced by other
cultures. As many listened, many more were shocked about the realities of FGM.
Some traditional healers in the group were aware of the effects and agreed with
the advocates on the consequences of FGM.
Many
women did not seem to be aware of the new law against FGM. They thought, as it
is a purely cultural practice, no one will find them out. The advocates
explained how the government is working with the local authorities to identify
such activities. The women agreed that
it is important to meet more often as one meeting could not make much progress
in convincing people to stop the practice. The advocates felt that the best way
to convince the community against FGM was to highlight the effect of the
practice on their health.
At
the mosque, where women meet every Sunday, the women would not allow the
advocates to open the leaflets. However, 6 women agreed to meet elsewhere. They
accepted that some of them had complications, while others were divorced as a
result of the friction. One girl narrated that because of urine and interrupted
menstrual flow, her womb was permanently destroyed and thus she cannot bear
children. The women seemed to be aware that FGM is not a religious requirement.
They also found this talk very encouraging.

She
visited a lunch club for elderly women where she shared the adverse effects of
FGM. While many agreed with the effects, they seemed to be upset that this was
interfering with their culture. They felt that the government had no right to
tell them what to do with their children, as they saw this practice as a way of
protecting them against a permissive and promiscuous society.
In
one of the meetings, a man disclosed that he had to divorce his first wife as a
result of FGM. It was noted that it is very rare for a man to disclose this.
One
of the advocate’s daughters was very upset that her mother had to campaign
against FGM after she had already put her through the problem. She refused to
look at the leaflets claiming that they brought back very painful memories.
The
advocate noted that it is very difficult to make inroads within the community
on this matter. It is vital that there be a consistent way of contacting the
people and carrying out follow up and to give support in order to identify and
help those who are willing to stop the practice. Also information on where to
go for help should be made available to those who need it.
Other
women felt that this campaign was her invention.
The
community advocates found out that some women are not aware of the new law. The
general feeling they had was that unless the law directly affects them, it did
not seem to be of any importance.
At
the Somali community centre, the men were against the talk on FGM, saying that
their women could not find anything better to do than to talk about sexual
issues. They were adamant that one cannot change their culture. They argued
that the West does not have to accept their culture just as the Somali
community will not accept the gay and lesbian culture.
Other
men however were very supportive and they took the matter to other men for
further discussion. The general male feeling is that this is a women’s campaign
and that they were not part of it. The supportive men were despised for
preferring to have an “unstitched” girl. In all their discussions, many people
did not seem to be aware of the law against FGM and the 14years jail term.
As a
result of this campaign, one young woman contacted an advocacy worker to find
out where she can be opened up after her wedding. This went well.
Also,
a cousin who was preparing to go to
Fahriya
also visited a family of 5 girls. 2 of them had already undergone FGM while 3
others have not yet undergone the experience. The mother was planning to take
them over the summer holidays for the operation. The advocacy worker showed
them the video and explained the details on the video. Although the mother was
convinced, the children’s grandmother was adamant about the practice going on.
Her argument was that FGM restrains the girls from sexual promiscuity and more
so in such a sexually permissive society.
An
incident of a young man who went to wed in
For
the campaign to be effective during this summer, it was suggested that there be
an active propaganda against FGM in schools, at the airports, at the GPs and anywhere
where the community can access this information. At the top of the campaign
should be the alert on the legal implications on parents and custodians who
facilitate FGM on their children abroad over the summer break.

Jamila
called over 6 of her neighbours and showed them the videotape. The women
received it well. They were informed about the 14-year jail sentence for any
At
the mosque, the advocacy worker presented the leaflets. Some of the women
present walked out in protest. Some
Egyptian women who were present agreed that this practice should stop.
The
women then proposed the Sunna method,
which is more symbolic.

Anne
spoke with 10 people in total. She was able to find a Somali man who was very
supportive of her efforts. She gave him the video to watch with his friends and
then met at the local centre on the next day for a discussion. The four men who watched the tape were
supportive. One woman narrated how she went through FGM twice because it was
not well done the first time. This was a very traumatic experience for her. She
recalls having very painful periods.
It
was revealed that in 1993, awareness campaigns against FGM had started in
Most
of the women coming for their ESOL classes were very interested and wanted to
take the tape to watch with their friends. The men say that they would not like
to have FGM done on their daughters and so are ready to back the campaign
against FGM.
The
need for consistency was once again called upon and also advocacy workers need
to be very proactive and key in contacting schools, community halls and homes
in order to distribute this information before the long summer breaks.
The
men ‘s main concern is that their girls will emulate the permissive western
lifestyle that leaves the girls deflowered. They argued thus that their
cultural practice of stitching ensures that this does not happen.

Mary
visited a Sudanese family and spoke to a few women during a conference that she
was attending. The mother in the family admitted to experiencing FGM herself
and decided that this would be done to her daughters. The mum explained that
she underwent the operation at 5yrs of age, although she had tried to run away.
She remembers excruciating pain whenever she passed urine and during
menstruation. For delivery she had to be cut up and sewn up several times. She
agreed that FGM had nothing to do with the law and that she did not consider
having cosmetic surgery done on her to ease the pain.
During
the second meeting there was 1 Somali woman and 1 Sudanese woman. The Sudanese
woman underwent cosmetic surgery to be opened up. She would not let her
daughter to undergo the operation. The
other Somali woman was not ready to be opened up.
At a
workshop elsewhere, Mary met with 2 Sudanese women who were circumcised. One of
them reported that her sister who underwent Sunna was forcefully taken back for
the pharaonic operation (removal of the clitoris and labia) by the midwives.
She is saddened to see that her brothers are keen on taking their daughters for
the same operation, but she is helpless about it.
In a
final workshop, Mary spoke to a young Sierra Leonean woman who was too shy to
share her ordeal with the other women. She underwent the operation at age 12
and her nerves were badly affected. She had a horrific sexual experience
besides painful periods and urination. She vowed never to do that to her
children if she ever got any. Also she was not aware of cosmetic surgery and
was curious to find out more.

Nimo
approached 10 people in all. She insisted on telling the people about the issue
with the law. Anyone supporting or plotting with a parent to have their
children mutilated would face up to 14 years in prison and be separated with
their children who might be taken into foster care.
Questions
asked ranged from, “how will they know? Who will tell?”, etc.. Also, the
children were brought up expecting it and not wanting to be the odd one out,
they anticipated the ritual with eagerness.
Nimo
informed the participants that children will be checked for any unusual behaviour
after the holidays, the GPs and other local authorities will be informed so
that they will report any unusual infections or behaviour from the children.
Many
seemed to think that since the 1985 law did not take effect, the same would be
of this new one.
Besides
the meeting, Nimo also kept contact with the other advocacy workers who
informed her of the progress and challenges they were facing.
Dulmar

Dulmar
visited three homes, a college and a community centre. The three families she
visited in their homes had young daughters that were at risk of mutilation. Two
of those families were preparing to take their daughters to
She
also spoke to six women at the college. Most of the women agreed with her that
FGM had no benefits, but would be happy to perform the suna symbolic circumcision for their own peace of mind. However,
their teenage daughters are fiercely opposed to the ritual and will refuse to
travel anywhere for the ritual.
At
the community centre, she met and spoke with 5 mothers, one grandmother and two
teenage girls. She showed them the fact sheets and the list of the side effects
of FGM. As a result of this, she was contacted by six young girls for the
address of the clinics to help them. They later called to thank her for the
information. One of them thanked her especially for the surgery that enabled
her to experience free flow menstruation.
Dulmar
believes that the new law and the 14 year jail term should be highlighted to
deter people from this practice. She observed that as soon as the 14 year jail
term was mentioned, people changed their minds about the ritual. She also
emphasised the need for a drop in centre to support those who are suffering as
a result of FGM, and those who are being pressurised by extended family members
to perform the ritual on their daughters.
After
this very informative session, the women summarized their feelings as follows:
The
questionnaire was used to compile the data that the women collated
individually.
The
following questions have been put together to make a statistical representation
of the people interviewed and their opinion on FGM within their community.
2.
The total number of people contacted was 258
3.
Of the total number, how many had been mutilated: 233 (91%)
4.
How many were:
·
Mothers: 150
·
Fathers: 11
·
Grandmothers: 38
·
Grandfathers: 2
·
Teenagers: 57
Mary
Kanu, Director of DSA thanked all the women for the job well done. She promised
that if the funders were willing, she would invite the women to share their
experiences at the next Female Genital Mutilation presentation being organised
by African Unite Against Child Abuse on June 24 2004.
She
also thanked Eunice Kyalo on behalf of the African Communities Project at
Hammersmith and Fulham for funding and supporting this project.
Eunice
Kyalo then issued certificates on behalf of the African Communities Project.
Advocacy and
Mobilisation Skills training for Community Advocates on Female Genital
Mutilation
List of
Participants
|
S/N |
Name and
Address |
|
1 |
Anne Ogbigbo |
|
2 |
Asha Aweys |
|
3 |
Ayan Abdi |
|
4 |
Dulmar Sulub |
|
5 |
Faduma Jama |
|
6 |
Farida Zimba |
|
7 |
Fahriya Abdi |
|
8 |
Igram Barud |
|
9 |
Jamila Abdow |
|
10 |
Luul Ali |
|
11 |
Mary Yak |
|
12 |
Nimo Mohamed |
Development
Support Agency
June 2004