Counselling has consistently been one of the central feature of the project's work. We see it as essential that women are given the opportunity to talk openly about their problems and concerns. In the fight against female genital mutilation, we believe that listening, debating and talking with women on an individual basis has been very effective in stopping the practice. No matter how good information materials or educational programmes are, it seems that unless women are given the opportunity to express their own personal feelings and are able to understand material within this context, the information can be dismissed as irrelevant. It is only through discussion and counselling that laws, legislation and health education can become effective tool in changing attitudes. At BWHAFS our counselling method is based on respect and stresses the importance of self-help. It is important to avoid sensationalising the issues, so that through our counselling, women will come to understand our work.

The counselling sessions also work as a form of research for BWHAFS. Learning from the situations of the women in the community that we work for which helps to determine our future work, in the form of developing new, more succinct or defined projects specifically geared towards women's needs. We have also found that using short stories, poems or oral histories to describe women's experiences, following a counselling session, can be a beneficial psychological exercise both for the women themselves, and that this breaks down barriers by making it accessible to other members of the community and general public. Although it is sometimes difficult, particularly in the past, to initiate often extremely personal conversations, women are now trusting us and in turn supporting us.

The councillor has to gain the confidence of the individual or group, and then encourage them to acknowledge their place in the world, the right to self-fulfilment, happiness, health and respect. These sessions aim to help build women's self-confidence, to enable them to communicate their problems and to express what they are feeling.

The counselling sessions also aim to help the women overcome the taboos surrounding discussion of female genital mutilation and other issues surrounding sexuality and the major health issues affecting Somali and other African women.

- One-to-one counselling
The Counselling Service provided by the Black Women's Health & Family Support is mainly offered to women free of charge. The therapy is based on person-centred methods and is conducted on a one-to-one basis, with the counsellor aiming to assist the client in resolving and learning to live with life events that cause them emotional difficulty and distress. The therapy takes place in a safe environment, which means that the client's therapy will be strictly confidentioal and that they will have the space to freely express their emtions.

Empathetic understanding, respect for all clients, trust and honesty are integral components of the counsellor and client relationship. The councillor presents and provides the client with the opportunity to speak openly to an individual who will not undermine the clients capabilities or impose their own beliefs and opinions on the client, but will act as an active and rewarding listener.

Each session usually lasts half an hour. However, the situation or circumstances of the client may result in sessions lasting longer if required. Clients are not expected to attend any particular number of sessions and are free to decide whether to continue with or terminate their counselling.

- Group counselling
Informal group counselling sessions are on demand. The most important benefit of this counselling method is the mutual support women give to and gain from each other. Much factual information is exchanged and discussed in these sessions.

Although initially the project's activities focused on women suffering the short or long term effects of FGM, as the organisation has expanded over the years it now offers counselling services to young refugees who suffer all the psychological and social problems of being displaced from their native country.

The counselling work has been, and continues to be vital in breaking down the taboos surrounding female genital mutilation and sexuality in the Somali community. It is now possible to discuss these issues with the women most directly affected by the practice, who were previously extremely reluctant to approach such topics. Through questioning the validity of FGM, we are beginning to broaden scope for discussion and further explore the dynamics of this issue.

Group counselling sessions held for Somali women have also worked to empower these women and strengthen their co-operation. Women have recognised the need to come together to achieve what they want and make their voice heard.

Link to:
Older Women's Project