Storytelling is key to change in East London
Nadine is a socially conscious student who attends secondary school in Waltham Forest, a borough in East London making strides to end FGM. In her school’s assembly hall surrounded by her fellow students*, Nadine listened as FGM survivor, Hibo Wardere, spoke openly and honestly with Nadine and her classmates about her traumatising experience undergoing FGM as a young child in Somalia.
Hibo’s Story is raw and emotional, yet her conviction and determination to end this form of child abuse is compelling.
“It was emotional and disturbing to hear [Hibo’s Story] but a wonderful presentation. It was amazing to see someone who can speak about their trauma so openly with such great courage.” says Nadine.
After the assembly, Nadine’s teachers addressed the elements of FGM - facts, laws and safeguarding principles on how to recognise those at risk of FGM. Nadine and her classmates learned about the laws used to prevent and prosecute FGM, they were compelled to question and interrogate through our FGM curriculum.
“It made me grateful that we have these laws to keep us safe. I learnt a new form of child abuse.”
Today, Nadine vows to be a stronger advocate for those who are at-risk of or who have survived FGM. She has the facts about why FGM is illegal, but also feels a personal conviction to stand up and say no to FGM.
Teachers on the frontline
Waltham Forest has been at the centre of a coordinated community effort to end FGM. As England and Wales introduced FGM as compulsory subject in primary and secondary schools in 2019, teachers were placed on the frontline to end FGM. Yet, many did not feel supported to tackle the controversial subject in the classroom or practical interventions to kick off the conversation.
Our project “End FGM Now: Teachers on the Frontline” works to support teachers - not only with practical interventions and tools to use in the classroom - but ways they can support and inspire a generation that says no to FGM.
Schools and communities must work together to end FGM. In 2020, together with the London Borough of Waltham Forest, we convened community leaders and members to discuss practical interventions to end FGM together at “Waltham Forest: Building a future free of FGM.” Community leaders, practitioners and concerned citizens discussed the importance of a coordinated community response and strategised on how to overcome stereotypes, fight biases, and broaden perceptions. Together they enforced a clear and strong message: FGM has no place in their community.
If you suspect someone is at risk or being subjected to any form of FGM, it is important to take action and report it straight away. In the UK, if someone is in immediate danger please dial 999. If you are concerned about a child, please call the NSPCC on 0800 028 3550 or email fgmhelp@nspcc.org.uk. Domestic violence support is also available on Freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline, run by Refuge on 0808 2000 247.
End FGM Now: Teachers on the Frontline project is supported through the People’s Postcode Trust and Zonta International.
*all in-person activities took place prior to the national lockdown and COVID-19 pandemic.