Female Genital Mutilation
Change Without Denigration
International Conference London
June 30th - July 1st 1994

This was BWHAFS's first International Conference on FGM. The idea for this particular conference arose two years previously following the organisation's witnessing of arrival's of number of women and children refugees.

The aim of the conference was to look at all the relevant issues and try and resolve some of the problems resulting from controversies surrounding female circumcision. It was also to try and establish ways of proceeding with the work to eradicate FGM without criminalizing the practising communities but at the same time working within the frameworks of the Children's Act, the Community Care Act, etc.

The conference was attended by 370 people from the local communities, and from national and international organisations. Throughout the two days speeches were made and workshops held.
Speakers came from all over the world.

Top image: Audience at 'Change Without Denigration' Conference
Bottom image: Audience at 'Change Without Denigration' Conference

The following speeches were made. A full transcript of the underlined speeches are included.

'Child Protection Procedure In Relation To Female Genital Mutilation In England'
- Phillip Noyes , The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) London, England

'Historical Background of Female Genital Mutilation Relating The Different Types of Practice in Mali'
- Amy Sow Traore from The Association for the Progress and Rights of the Malian Woman

'Social and Cultural Aspects of Female Genital Mutilation Physical and Psychological Effects'
- Dr. Mohamed Hadi, Obstetrician and Gynaecologist Researcher Royal London Hospital - Medical College England

'Women's Health in Relation to FGM in Refugee Communities in Sweden'
- Dr. Nima H. Adi, Ismail Head of STOPP NU Sweden

'Explanations of the Religious Doctrine on FGM and Clarification of Islamic Shari'a Law'
- Dr. M.A Zaki Badawi, Principal of the Muslim College London, England

'Cultural Attitudes and Social Changes in Sudanese Community Today on FGM'
- Dr. Nadia Abdullah, Chairwoman of a Sudanese Woman's Group, Sudan

'Social and Cultural Aspects of FGM in Somalia'
- Edna Adan Isamil, World Health Organisation - Djibouti

'Cultural and Modern Development on FGM in Egypt'
- Aziza Kamal Co-ordinator of the FGM Project in Egypt

'World Health Organisation: Present and Future Roles and Policy For Change Regarding FGM'
- Dr. Leila Mehra, Division of Family Health - World Health Organisation

'Legal Action and Child Prtoection Relating to FGM in France'
- Linda Weil, Curiel France

'Modern Women's Attitude Towards FGM: Indonesian Experience'
- Dr Ahmad Watik Pratiknya Embryology and Anthropology Faculty of Medicine and Graduate Studies Gadjah University, Yogyakarta Indonesia

'Ways of Improvement on The Prohibition of Female Circumcision Act, 1985'
- Mr John Dua-Ayemang, Director/ Co-ordinator of LLB


The conference culminated with the formulation of some conclusions and the passing of resolutions, this later lead to the formulation of the strategy group policy on FGM.