Female Genital Mutilation Campaign - Trafalgar Square, London

Saturday 20th July 2013 saw 10 returned VSO ICS volunteers from the Ethiopia group together to campaign against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in central London. The event had been a while in the making, and a lot of credit has to go to Alice Duckett, aka Ally Rouge for pulling this even together and getting it off the ground. Her diligent efforts and liaison with FORWARD (Foundation for Women's Health Research and Development) and 28 Too Many came to fruition in a wonderful way. 

Need a reminder on what FGM is? Take a look at my previous post 'Nurture or Mutilate?' 

We met in the morning for a quick briefing and catch up over breakfast. Then donned our VSO tshirts, took fistfuls of pamphlets for various organisations and hit Trafalgar square to spread our message to the public. We paused for a few photo opportunities, and then Peter Newman took to the background to capture our day in pictures and video (check back for the finished product soon!).

Why? Because the summer time is more crucial than ever in the world of FGM, the school holidays and better weather lead the way to 'cutting season'. 

I was surprised by lots of things that came to light in the day, for example; how many people knew about FGM but thought there was no presence of it in the UK and also by how many people approached me to ask about it (I spent most of the day with various message boards held up above my head to optimise how many people would read it). 

This is me brandishing one of the many signs that Louise Peirce made for us

The conversations I had with various people of different ages, backgrounds and ethnicities were really inspiring, and I am so grateful they took the time out of their day to share their views and ask questions about what is generally quite a sensitive subject. Some of the comments I received include:

"I couldn't agree with you more" - from a passer by in relation to the sign I was holding which read "FGM is a violation of the human rights of women and children".

"So what are the government going to do about it?" - from a gentleman who knew a fair amount about FGM, including that since the laws against female circumcision passed in the UK 1985 no convictions have been made, even after certain loopholes (taking girls abroad for the 'procedure') were closed in the Female Genital Mutilation Act of 2003. Truly shocking when it is estimated 20,000 or more young girls and women are at risk of this every year in the UK.

"Oh, I'm American, that doesn't happen where I come from" - from an American woman visiting the UK for a holiday. Unfortunately, as much as it would be nice to believe that, it's not true. FGM isn't 100% specific to certain countries or continents, though some have a higher prevelance than others. As people move around the world, they often take their traditional practices and culture with them. Although a 1996 federal law bans FGM in the US, it does not address the act of transporting girls overseas to be subjected to FGM. There has been recent articles about FGM in the US in online press; Zero Tolerance in our back yards. 

Alongside us at Trafalgar Square were Daughters of Eve and the Shoreditch Sisters who were campaigning in a fun and extroverted way. They came in bright colours with various banners brandishing quirky slogans; "Fanny Defence League", "Love your Labia", "whose vagina? My vagina!" and a variety of cupcakes resembling genitalia. 

Top: A variety of eye catching banners, Left: malteaser clitoris anyone?, Right: Another quirky slogan

Their most controversial sign had to be "You wouldn't cut of your dick so don't cut off my clit" and they gave a few renditions of songs for their film crew, to the tune of all things bright and beautiful; "Vaginas they are beautiful, be they great or small. Vaginas they are wonderful, whence we came one and all". 

I mention a film crew, there is a documentary for Channel 4 being made (not sure on release date but will keep an eye out for it) on FGM and with a little bit of luck our group might have an action shot of our campaigning efforts. 

I also had the pleasure of meeting Sarian who was featured on Sky News in the morning before the event. Her story is inspiring, she recently did an interview with The Guardian, The battle to eliminate FGM is long, but its one we must win. She was a key focus for the film crew and was circulating with an ipad to get on the spot signatures for an e-petition Stop FGM in the UK Now which was set up by Leyla Hussein from Daughters of Eve. (Please take the time to sign the petition, there is an email verification step required so make sure you complete it all - thank you). 

It really was a fantastic day, it was so uplifting to know we were part of spreading such an important message and educating people on this harmful practice which goes on both in the UK and abroad. I urge you to take an active interest and probe for information on line, there is plenty of it and some of the statistics will astound you. All the NGOs mentioned above will welcome new supporters, actively show your support and get involved in any way you can. 

Kx

I hope I have credited all the relevant people above, if not I sincerely apologise and please contact me so I can add you in!

A special thanks goes to all the returned VSO ICS volunteers who travelled far and wide to attend; Alice Duckett, Louisa Nicholson, Alex Ferguson, Sen Sivan, Aman Brar, Rebecca Park, Louise Peirce, Laura Beverstock and Keiran Gilberthorpe. 

The above mention NGOs can be found on Twitter. Please use #IstandagainstFGM #endFGM if you're tweeting on FGM. 



P.S Have you seen my other blog, Ramblings & Musings ? I'll be transitioning to it from here as this is Ethiopia/VSO/ICS specific.