BWHAFS does not consider FGM in isolation. Practising communities have many other problems which are at least as, if not more important to them, than FGM. These include difficulties often experienced by refugees such as with language, housing, social security benefits, poverty, immigration status isolation, loss and bereavement, and lack of understanding of the law and the British way of life (such as attending GPs and sending children to school).
BWHAFS addresses most areas with which the black community requires help, support, and intervention. We do not seek to separate health needs from other problems, needs or issues.
BWHAFS strongly believes in a grass-roots approach when working with FGM practising communities. We believe in empowering women, through education and consciousness-raising, and locating the issue of FGM within the context of black women's rights. This in turn will enable women and families to make informed decisions in order to stop the practice of FGM within culture, religion or tradition.
We recognise that the issue of FGM is not the most important concern within the affected communities. Many of the practising communities living in Britain are refugees still undergoing enormous cultural and environmental shock. This is why BWHAFS aims to build up the trust of these communities through supporting them with the issues affecting them in their daily lives, and not simply highlighting the problem of FGM. To do this would alienate us as an organisation from the very communities we are seeking to help.
Image: Poster demonstrating female genital mutilation
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BWHAFS firmly believes that education and awareness raising around the issue of FGM is vital in terms of prevention and eradication. Thus it is crucially important that members of the practising communities are educated about the issue, as well as all health, social work and education professionals who are in contact with these communities. Working with religious leaders is also an important part of our strategy.
Grass-roots prevention strategies include health and FGM 'road shows', whereby health education workers travel to areas with a high concentration of residents from the practising communities providing information and advice on health risks, legislation and other issues. This is a proactive strategy in that the information is being provided for the affected communities in comfortable and familiar surroundings where the target audience will not be intimidated. The settings for these health workshops include women's groups, youth projects, such as sporting or cultural clubs, men's social groups and community centres.
Whether working with an individual family, or in educating and informing the community in general, it is vital that men be involved in the formulation of opposition to the practice. Men only seminars are provided, facilitated by a male worker from a practising community. It is, of course, important to bear in mind that FGM is largely considered a taboo subject, and thus the inclusion of men, in what they see as essentially a women's issue, requires cultural sensitivity and understanding.
Health, social work and education professionals need to be educated about the issue of FGM and the beliefs surrounding the practice in order to work effectively within the existing legislation. Each agency should have clear guidelines and procedures for referring cases of suspected risk of FGM. In pursuit of this aim, BWHAFS recommends that the issue of FGM be incorporated into the training syllabuses of all health, social work and education professionals.
Research conducted by BWHAFS in 1996 (link?) indicated the need for a specialist clinic to deal with issues around FGM. At present, no such specialised clinic exists in East London. BWHAFS feels that the setting up of a regular clinic within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, dealing specifically with health issues relating to FGM, would be instrumental in the campaign to eradicate FGM.
A key aspect of any prevention strategy is the dissemination of information. BWHAFS have produced leaflets providing information on FGM including the health risks, refuting myths surrounding the practice and detailing legislation. Information such as this should be made available nationally and translated into the languages of the practising communities, in a variety of settings such as schools, hospitals, GP surgeries and health centres, community centres, local shops and supermarkets, social services departments, universities and Mosques.
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