Changing attitudes to FGM - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

1 / 13
About This Presentation
Title:

Changing attitudes to FGM

Description:

'For women it is not only a painful ordeal, but a means of social bargaining and ... Organise events to publicise work being done ... – PowerPoint PPT presentation

Number of Views:363
Avg rating:3.0/5.0
Slides: 14
Provided by: comf5
Category:

less

Transcript and Presenter's Notes

Title: Changing attitudes to FGM


1
Changing attitudes to FGM in the UK and
abroad Comfort Momoh FGM/Public Health
Specialist Guys and St Thomas Hospital
2
  • The issue of FGM is multi- faceted and complex
  • Amongst many groups, FGM is a long-standing
    traditional practice that has become
    inseparable from ethnic and socio-cultural
    identity

3
  • For women it is not only a painful ordeal,
    but a means of social bargaining and
    negotiation for societies it is a collective
    identity marker a status symbol in the fullest
    sense as well as a creator of cohesion

International Conference on Population and
Development
4
  • In the early days of campaigning FGM was seen as
    a taboo subject
  • The work of non-governmental organisations like
    FORWARD, BWHAFS, ACCM and RAINBO has undoubtedly
    resulted in changes in attitude to FGM in many UK
    cities and abroad

5
  • Innovative projects are taking place with
    local religious and community leaders within
    practising communities
  • Attitudes are changing, with women, and men,
    showing a willingness to talk more freely about
    FGM

6
  • Communities are mobilising and becoming more
    actively involved in working to eradicate the
    practice of FGM
  • Lobbying of UK politicians has resulted in
    increased collaboration between Government,
    professionals and NGOs BUT

7
  • Despite the existence of numerous policy
    documents that outline procedures for
    information sharing and inter- agency
    co-operation, the reality is that there have
    been no prosecutions under the 2003 FGM Act or
    its 1985 predecessor

8
  • National and local events - like this conference
    today are raising awareness of FGM amongst
    professionals and volunteers involved in
    safeguarding the welfare of those women and girls
    affected by this harmful practice

9
  • The issue of FGM is on the agenda for most
    African countries at government, health
    professionals NGOs and grass-root community level
  • But the biggest challenge remains changing
    attitudes and minds at family and village level
  • FGM is a woman's domain, perceived, as
    empowering, consequently, it is much more
    difficult to convince women to give it up than
    men.

10
  • It is important to understand that there are
    many, many people in the communities which
    practise FGM, who are opposed to the practice and
    have worked for many years within their own
    cultures, persuading families that they do not
    have to follow tradition and impose this harmful
    act upon their daughters

11
  • In the long run it is through the work of these
    people that we are most likely to succeed in
    eradicating FGM
  • They need our help and support, not our moral
    indignation or subjective judgements about their
    cultures
  • It is through the work of villagers in small
    communities that we are most likely to succeed in
    eradicating FGM

12
  • The practice is still widespread in spite of a
    global commitment following the 2002 UN Special
    Session on Children to end FGM by 2010.
  • The practice thrives in an environment of silence
    and secrecy and this makes it difficult to break
    existing customs
  • This makes the practice a self-reinforcing social
    convention

13
  • Progress is being made but work must continue
  • Lobby and engage politicians, as well as
    cultural, religious and traditional leaders
  • Organise events to publicise work being done
  • Educate/train those who have contact with those
    affected by FGM
  • Stay committed to eradication of FGM
Write a Comment
User Comments (0)
About PowerShow.com