An emphasis is placed on the importance of research within the communities affected by FGM in order further understand the degree to which the practice continues and to develop a grassroots understanding of the practice. We believe that these research projects can work to create a wider understanding of the perceptions of the practice held by the communities that practice FGM. In this way further work and educational projects to eliminate FGM will be more adept at adopting a holistic, inclusive approach to FGM eradication rather than the top-down approach which can all too often work to further ostracise an already marginalized community.

As an organisation we have conducted two major research projects into FGM and one into the health care needs of Somali youth. The following summarises these projects.

Study Method:
Questionnaire

Subject Details:
- 200 women and 200 men, predominantly Somali (age range 17-40)
- Two thirds of the females were born in rural areas in East Africa, one third were born in urban areas
- 7% of males born in rural areas in East Africa 93% of males born in urban areas

Results Obtained:
- 59% (118) of women were against FGM
- 41% (82) of the women said they will continue to practice Sunna
- 64% (128) of men were against FGM

Study Methods:
- Self completion structured questionnaire
- In depth interviews with 10 males and 10 females


Subject Details:
- 170 questionnaires were fully completed
- 100 males and 100 females from Greater London
- 85% were born overseas
- 70% of the females had been circumcised
- Age range 16-22 years


Results Obtained
- 18% females and 42% males said they would circumcise their daughters
- 9/12 females and 12/13 males said they would choose Sunna
- Majority described FGM experience as harrowing
- Also fear that circumcision scar would split (thus end the carefree playing and running about as children)


Attitudes to British Legislation Against FGM
- 10 females circumcised after arriving in UK
- One female taken back to Somalia for the operation
- One refused to answer questionnaire
- 8 were circumcised in UK (two before legislation passed)
- Some males did not know FGM is illegal in UK
- Some males said they will not be discouraged by legislation


Conclusions
- Large number of Somalis in the UK now against FGM
- Large number of mothers regret having daughters circumcised
- Men increasingly happy to talk about FGM, particularly young men
- Bad publicity has major adverse impact on community
- FGM should be included in the school curriculum


Recommendations
- Research at grassroots level required in Europe to establish the magnitude of the problem
- Involvement of religious leaders in the campaign against FGM
- Government to enforce policy on FGM and increase funding for the campign
- More collaborative work with international organisations on FGM campaigns and linkages with grassroots campaigns in Africa
- At national level, conferences and workshops required on FGM and should include the community concerned
- A strategy to unite women, men, professionals and clients on FGM issues
- Financial support from the government for:
- setting up helpline
- counselling services for young circumcised females and for parents in
doubt about FGM

This research project was the result of a request from BWHFS to assess the future health care needs of the Somali youth following a proposal for BWHFS to set up a training programme for young Somali's on health education and allow them to train other Somali young people and to produce a health information pack geared specifically to young Somali's.


Study Methods
Semi-structured questionnaire. The interviews took place in Bethnal Green in Somali centres such as Khat shops and communitycentres,


Subject Details
- 50 Somali young people between the ages of 16 and 24
- All were residents from the Bethnal Green Neighbourhood, were interviewed.
- 64% (32) of people were single, 36% (18) were married.
- 48% (24) were refugees, 42% (21) were British and 10% (5) were temporarily admitted


Results Obtained
- Some young people could not see the difference between GP's and hospital
- 92% (46) of interviewees were unaware of the Family Health Service Authority and Community Health Council
- 90% (45) of interviewees had never read or had the contents of the Tower Hamlets Patient Charter
- 70% (35) of interviewees had never attended a health education/promotion class on HIV/Aids and Sexual Health
- 62% (31) interviewees were not interested in training in potential health education/promotion programmes
- 56% (28) of interviewees had heard of or seen a person who had committed suicide
- 98% (49) of interviewees had agreed that they were in need of a more high quality health service


Recommendations
- There needs to be development training for Somali young people. They could be trained at BWHAFS and potentially subsequently work as youth health workers.
- There should be a comprehensive health information service for Somali young people.
- Form a campaign to raise awareness and understanding of available health services.
- Immediate action to promote health education programmes on HIV/AIDS and sexual health should be taken
- Immediate action should be taken to provide mental health counselling services for mentally ill young people
- Provision of a Somali youth club in the Bethnal Green Neighbourhood is an essential step forward and could be used as a place where Somali young people gather and exchange ideas and have recreational activities.
- There should be an active health promotion programme
- There is a need to develop specific training programmes for young single parents
- Young females need to be encouraged to take part in health, fitness and leisure activities.



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