Discussion workshops
During the conference, workshops were set up to give the participants the opportunity to express their own views and concerns about FGM. Thus, they could establish the areas of relevance which should be pursued collectively in Europe or in their countries of origin. The conclusions presented in this report are the result of the discussions carried out during the workshops.


Need for more resources
It was agreed that, under no circumstances, should FGM be accepted and that there was a need for collective work in order to eradicate this practice. The lack of data and the need for research was emphasised. The need for resources was another important aspect. It was pointed out that the WHO had no specific funds for eradicating FGM. At present, funding comes from the Maternal and Child Health Programme. Hence, the need for financial support to deal specifically with the relevant issue of FGM.


Need for grassroots education
There was a consensus about the relevance of education at grassroots level. Women who are practising FGM needed to be educated so that they can make an informed choice, including knowledge of the legal framework. 'Legal literacy' was the term used to illustrate their need to know legally what they were subjecting their child and themselves to.


Attitude of men in international organisations
The extent to which the majority of men working in international organisations were concerned about FGM was questioned. Therefore, the need to encourage them to include FGM in their agendas, and make the issue a priority for improving the health of women and children was recognised.


Time-scale for changes, and cultural considerations
It was understood that changes wouldn't take place from one day to another. Hence, the need for short and long term programmes for increasing awareness and eradication of FGM. Also, a clear understanding about the place of values, both in terms of the individual, and in terms of women's rights. The use of a cultural approach has to be considered. Women should not impose their own ideas about FGM on people. But, the modern woman should think how she could change the individuals who, based on traditional values, practice FGM.

The virginity of the girl and the mother's wish for a better marriage for her daughter were aspects considered at this stage. However, it was also pointed out that the function and the beauty of a woman's body is best if left intact. It is part of her whole social well-being. Social and cultural aspects are passed from one generation to another. If changes are going to take place, we must not just think of the older or the younger generation. We ought to be aware of the period of transition. These are deeply rooted traditions, and, as such, they do not change overnight.

FGM is an issue which has to do with the child in society, not only as an individual, but as a unity. Mothers should, perhaps, be taught from the point of view of shame, i.e. if the girl subjected to FGM is made to realise how different she is, how FGM affects her relationship with herself, in the marriage, and in other aspects of her life.


Changes in attitudes to FGM in Eritrea
In Eritrea, the cultural revolution was helpful in changing some of the attitudes towards FGM. The discussion took place among various groups, not only in the urban, but also in the rural areas. There was debate about the advantages and disadvantages of the practice. From that discussion a campaign was started and then a process of change began. Resolutions were made and, eventually, a foundation, through which the people wanted to eradicate FGM. But, that was not enough.

In the case of Eritrea, the culture was not a static entity but a changing one. So, one has to move with the culture and not only with attitudes of change. This, in fact, proves to be very difficult because these matters were passed on from one generation to another and they were not going to change from one day to another. Therefore, these matters have to be dealt with on various levels and, in order to be effective, the process has to be integrated. One couldn't just think of either the urban areas, nor the rural areas in isolation One had to think of what was going on not only within the society but beyond the society.


Racism and Eurocentric attitudes as barriers to change
There was a belief among the participants that it was easier to educate people in their homeland, or in the respective countries of Africa. There were fewer problems of racism, of immigrant status and the various problems and pressures associated with immigrants. The question of racism and dealing with it, was emphasized. Whether the mother was in England or in her homeland, her main concern was, who was going to marry her daughter. In the education process it would be important to make distinctions between making changes from FGM in the home country and making changes elsewhere.

The question of why people are changing in different ways in this country, in Africa and elsewhere was dealt with. It was acknowledged that more women were becoming educated, and that, with regard to religion, it was becoming more clearly understood that neither Islam nor any other faith was a reason to subject women to FGM. Religious leaders were being encouraged to speak out, to set an example to the communities as part of an ongoing process. The need for a very positive approach to changing the community was emphasized. But in the process of changing attitudes towards FGM the old traditions should not be denigrated. We should not be considered barbarians!

Europeans resolve matters that affect their culture and human dignity without condemning their ancestors, or calling them barbarians. So, why should we?


Education of Men
A further matter that came up was that FGM should be considered within the sanctity of marriage. Men who were married to woman subjected to FGM, must be educated and made to realise the value, and sexual attraction of women not subjected to FGM. It was stressed that there wasn't a single reason for having FGM in many societies. Yet the old reasons for FGM, for marriage, for financial reasons, for sexual reasons, ought to be considered in a collective and integrated way.

Legal and Medical pressure in conjunction with education
The need for legal and medical pressure was stressed. Education is important but, it is definitely not enough without legal pressure. Somebody has to take legal responsibility for the child who has undergone FGM.


Mother-tongue
It was accepted that communication with the people concerned should be in their own language. And it was thought that the people involved in the legal, medical and educational processes should be drawn, as much as possible, from the local community. Training schemes are needed both for people coming from other countries and for those who will help them.


Current legal provision
With regard to the 1985 Prohibition Act, it was suggested that the law needed to be modified. The Criminal Justice Act of 1991 has provisions of mitigating and aggravating circumstances, so a person is assessed not only by the offence, but also by the way, or the intent that comes with the offence. The 1985 Prohibition Act has no provisions of that kind. It does not address the issues of intent.

The group looking at the implications of the legal action in France for people in the United Kingdom, agreed that FGM should be assumed to be covered by the common law, and that there was no need for a specific law.

We, the participants of the FGM CONFERENCE 94: "CHANGE WITHOUT DENIGRATION", a two-day International Conference dedicated to the eradication of FGM and organised by London Black Women's Health Action Project having considered :-

The various aspects of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), including health, social, psychological, cultural and human rights;

The geographical distribution of FGM, including immigrant and refugee communities in Europe and elsewhere;

The serious consequences of FGM on the physical and psychological health of women and girls, and being deeply concerned about the noxious impact of FGM on:-

· The integrity and unity of the family

· The social, cultural and economic unity of the community, having concluded that FGM is a violation of human rights, the dignity of women and girl children and noted that several international human rights organisations prohibit traditional practices prejudicial to the health of women and children.



RESOLVE :

1 - That all efforts be mobilised at all levels in order to achieve the abolition of FGM everywhere throughout the world.

2 - That governments take appropriate steps to inform and educate their communities to encourage the dynamic forces within to eradicate FGM.

3 - That in all their actions governments should be committed to taking the appropriate measures for avoiding the alienation of parts or all the communities, within which FGM is practised.

4 - That governments make adequate resources available for programmes aimed at the eradication of FGM.

5 - That child protection legislation, where it exists, be adequately explained to the community in order to encourage prevention and avoid the criminalization of the practice of FGM.

6 - That women mobilise for the protection of their own rights and those of their children

7 - That women be empowered and empower themselves to negotiate and make decisions regarding their health and the integrity of their bodies.

8 - That all efforts be made to involve men in the issue and encourage men to play a positive role in the campaign to eradicate FGM.

9 - That religious leaders take every opportunity available to explain and clarify the non-religious origins of FGM.

10 - That international organisations provide expertise and resources for NGOs working toward the eradication of FGM.

11 - That the media be used to educate the public regarding FGM and help bring about positive change.

12 - That all precautions be taken to avoid sensationalising the issue and treat the subject with tact and respect for the communities concerned.

13 - That it be medically unethical for medical professionals to perform FGM under any pretext whatsoever.

14 - That any medical professional who performs FGM and/or assists in anyway in the performance of FGM be duly prosecuted under the law.

15 - That the medical profession pronounce FGM as unethical.

16 - That all existing anti-FGM resolutions be reaffirmed by the medical profession and by other organisations committed to the eradication of FGM.