The project background Mojatu Foundation is a charitable organisation that sources, collates, manages, and distributes information through regional bi-monthly magazines, currently publish magazines in Nottingham and Berkshire, and available online at www.mojatu.com and www.valentinenkoyo.com. We raise aspiration of our readers and communities by sharing positive and inspirational stories about individuals, groups, communities and businesses. We also connect individuals, communities and organisations by sharing information and opportunities while addressing issues affecting the communities by covering and reporting on events and activities including cultural and family events and healthy living.
training and media activities, facilitate and support community engagement among African communities and establishing revenue earning opportunities for these communities in their local areas. We support girls and women with media training and on issues affecting women as a way of enabling them to become Community Champions and reporting on issues affecting them and their communities. We believe that empowered women and girls are the best hope for sustainable development.
We use Mojatu Magazine as a tool for raising awareness around FGM with the hope of changing the communities’ perceptions around this and other harmful cultural practices. Since 2014, the We help young people, especially women and girls, Nottingham FGM Steering Group (NFSG) has been and the disadvantaged to improve their lives by working in conjunction with Mojatu in mobilising helping them in media and community oriented communities. NFSG has over 28 members from 22 activities through training, engaging and enabling African countries, UK and the Caribbean. The group them to progress towards employment, further is paramount in the planning, implementing and education and volunteering. managing actions and models for tackling FGM in Nottinghamshire. The Patron of the group is the Our core work is in raising awareness and tackling Deputy Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, Veronica Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) locally and Pickering. beyond, empower girls and women through
The National FGM Conference In November 2014, Mojatu decided to host a small conference with the hope of bringing survivors, communities and professionals in the same room to discuss how FGM can be tackled locally. The initial aim was to bring together 40-50 people for a three hour meeting as we lacked funding for a full-fledged conference. Following concerted efforts of the NFSG and Mojatu Foundation, Nottingham City Council through Mandy Pride, offered a venue for the meeting and refreshments. We were thus able to send out the invitation emails to targeted members of the community and professionals. Within three weeks of sending the invitation out, over 70 people had already confirmed attending and it was decided that we seek further funding to host a conference instead of a meeting. On 12th of February, Mojatu hosted its first national conference at the Hyson Green Youth Club. The conference brought together over 85 people including survivors, practicing communities, the police, the City Council, women support organisations, NHS staff and education specialists. The conference was funded by Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, The Nottingham City Council and supported by the Nottingham FGM Steering Group. Even though the initial plan was to bring together about 40-50 people, we got more than 120 people interested in attending the conference and had to put some of them on a waiting list for future conferences and events. This is evidence of the high level of interest in the subject among communities and professionals.
Purpose of the conference 1. Initiate dialogue among practicing communities 2. Facilitate Community engagement 3. Raise awareness on FGM 4. Create a networking opportunity for communities 5. Generate ideas on the best way to tackle FGM locally 6. Encourage people to take action What we hoped to get from the conference: 1. To give survivors a voice to speak out and help direct FGM eradication activities 2. To get feedback from communities on what is being done and what ought to be done 3. To generate ideas for future events 4. To encourage further support for future events 5. To get publicity of efforts in tackling FGM locally 6. To get future contacts and potential partnerships 7. To understand how best to support and work with survivors
Over 80 people attend National End FGM conference in Nottingham
By Valentine Nkoyo, Fiker Saifeselassie & Thelma Rusike - Photos by Sehrish Din, Joanna Frith & Abdullah Nur.
On 12th February, the first national FGM conference in Nottingham was attended by over 80 people. The event brought together community groups, women’s organisations, FGM survivors and representatives from the police and professionals experts from education, health and housing groups. Organised by Mojatu and sponsored by the Nottingham Police and the City Council, the event launched the second phase of Mojatu’s end FGM campaign in Nottingham city. This will align Nottingham with the international campaign to end FGM this generation. The conference was organised to tackle the rising rates of FGM. Since 2010, local hospitals have reported up to 200 new cases of FGM each year. It is especially timely with the shocking reports that over a 6 months period, over 400 women with FGM were seen in the local hospitals. 1,000s of FGM cases have been reported in the last five years by the local hospitals arising from both the city and the county.
Paddy Tipping, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Nottinghamshire commended the survivors and stressed the need for individuals and organisations to work together in tackling the problem. He underlined the need to have FGM survivors driving the agenda on how to tackle FGM. “If we are being honest, Nottinghamshire Police have not made a great deal of progress in tackling FGM and supporting survivors. But we are now putting this higher up on our agenda, thanks to the hard work of a lot of people here today. Awareness and more work is required in helping us to change attitudes and we can only do this together”, he said.
Valentine Nkoyo, the director of Mojatu Foundation and the conference organiser and host, stressed the need to see the women who have experienced FGM as survivors who have overcome this practice. “Those women and girls who have experienced FGM are heroes. They should be supported and encouraged to share their experiences and knowledge on how best to tackle FGM and prevent other girls from undergoing this practice”.
Reports show that FGM is still being performed on young British girls by either being taken abroad to have the operation performed or cutters being brought to the UK to perform the practice in the girl’s home.
“Working directly with communities where FGM is practiced and encouraging FGM survivors to come forward, when they feel brave enough, will help end FGM this generation and enable those suffering in silence to get support”, she said. Mel Bowden, the Detective Chief Inspector, Nottingham Police and who supports Mojatu emphasised the need for awareness campaigns and community engagement in line with the law enforcement. “FGM awareness is the most important thing in safeguarding any girls and women from this practice. The police are committed to protect each and every girl in Nottinghamshire and we are committing time and resources towards this”, said Mel.
“FGM is child abuse and against the law. Anyone performing FGM in the UK or those helping FGM to be undertaken on British Nationals or permanent UK residents locally or abroad face imprisonment of up to 14 years or a fine. However, prevention and safeguarding is the most important thing and that is why we are passionate about awareness events such as this one. It is important to make people aware that FGM is not just illegal but it has huge negative health and psychological implications for FGM survivors”.
Dr Phoebe Abe, a GP at Hillingdon, West London and the author of the book “FGM an A-Z Guide” shed light on the health impact of FGM. Dr. Abe said, “I am often shocked at how little most people understand about FGM and its physical and psychological impact on FGM survivors. I grew up in Uganda and I escaped FGM but all should be aware that no baby is safe as long as FGM continues to be condoned”. Referring to her work with FGM survivors in West London where she runs a free FGM clinic, Dr. Abe said, “I cry nearly every week when the FGM survivors and their daughters come to my clinic. Many have had years of suffering since FGM was performed on them causing years of pain and suffering for themselves and their families. Most of these women have adhesions, vaginal infections, pelvic inflammatory infections, and urine infections, for years they have been having these problems. Ten per cent of girls die when FGM is performed on them and the survivors have a lifetime of personal and community suffering. It is upon us all to act now and bring this deadly practice to an end”.
Carol McCormick, consultant midwife at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, and who has been working in FGM clinic for the last 13 years stated that “FGM is a major issue in Nottingham and we have been helping those affected by FGM with medical and psychological help. Part of the work is also preventative in nature as we are fully committed to preventing any new cases of FGM in our region. We need to expand the awareness schemes and activities through better education programmes for parents, professionals and communities so that all understand how ineffective and harmful FGM is to girls and women. We have been training healthcare professionals in the hospitals but there are still gaps, especially in community engagement, that ought to be addressed”
Margaret Lesuuda, the Kenyan Education Counsellor based at the Kenyan High Commission, London stated that “FGM leads to early and forced marriages, high school dropouts, early pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases as it is often undertaken in unhygienic settings. This conference should chart ways of capacity building, community engagement, cultural-result-oriented interventions and widening partnerships and coordinated campaigns”. Mrs Lesuuda called for development of “local, national and international models of knowledge sharing and mapping tools and platforms to help train and create awareness among professionals, communities and those tackling FGM”. She urged everyone to help “promote gender equality and widen community based initiatives. Leaders should not be silent as the practice goes on but instead they need to speak out and act towards eradicating FGM this generation”. Cecily Mwaniki of Utulivu Women Group and director of CMnetwork in Reading, scheduled to address the meeting but could not make it, sent a statement which outlined the need to support the FGM survivors by “empowering them through networks and engagement with other women activities in the region. Our experiences show that this is the only way to have long-term impact on issues affecting women”.
wants to work with other partners in empowering survivors and protecting those at risk”.
Kinsi Clarke, a project manager at the Nottingham Refugee Forum and one of the conference organisers reiterated the need for increased awareness and the need to engage survivors and men. As a campaigner against the FGM, Kinsi noted that “the figures tell just a part of the story as many FGM survivors are scared to come forward. Those accounted for are the ones who attend medical institutions but many shy away even going for simple checks such as smear tests and prenatal checks for fear of ridicule and negative comments from medical professionals. There is need for more awareness in the community and training of medical professionals to understand FGM and know how to deal with FGM survivors.”
Manjit Bains of Women’s Aid Integrated Services (WAIS) informed the attendees about the role played by WAIS in supporting women facing all forms of abuse, violence and neglect. Manjit noted that WAIS “works with FGM survivors and issues around domestic violence and abuse, honour based violence, safeguarding and ongoing support. However, we recognise the need for increased action in this area to safeguard those at risk of FGM and support survivors especially within cultural and social settings of the survivors and those in danger.”
Rosemary Moseti who chaired the event and is a nurse at the Queens Medical in Nottingham stated that “community engagement around FGM has been very limited in Nottingham and Mojatu Foundation
L-R Nadine (Guest from Belgium, Valentine and Hana) Hana Gibremedhen, shared her story about her suffering due to FGM and how FGM awareness and survivor’s support has helped her to cope and to speak out, “It is very empowering to be able to stand here and share my story. Nottingham FGM Steering Group has helped me to speak out about my many years of suffering caused by FGM operation done on me in Ethiopia. Many of us suffer in silence but we have started to meet and share our pain and how we can help one another cope and heal”.
Veronica Pickering, the Deputy Lieutenant for Nottinghamshire and the patron of Nottingham FGM Steering Group thanked all present for supporting the event and taking the first steps towards tackling FGM. “We need to come together in raising awareness about FGM and working towards eliminating it completely. FGM survivors require support and everyone needs to understand that ending FGM includes supporting FGM survivors, reducing stigma surrounding FGM and helping safeguard those at risk of undergoing FGM”.
The Sheriff of Nottingham Cllr. Jackie Morris made a committment on behalf of the City Council to support the Mojatu Foundation efforts in tackling FGM in Nottingham. She commented on the importance of protecting girls at risk and supporting survivors of FGM. The conference was supported by Kinsi Clarke of the Nottingham Refugee Forum, Juma Amdani of African Institute of Social Development, Manjit Barnes of WAIS, Mandy Pride of the Nottingham City Council, Sonia Long of New Rose Associates Ltd Social media was by Trevor Cocker of Nottingham Institute while the excellent lunch was prepared by Habesha Ethiopian Restaurant along Alfreton Road in Nottingham.
The attendees responded to the conference by suggesting ways forward in tackling FGM in Nottinghamshire and supporting FGM survivors.
Results from feedback forms
3) Would you recommend another similar conference and if so, what would you like covered? • 100% of respondents said they would like another FGM conference to be held. • Areas suggested for coverage in future conferences include: Local support services for women, clear referral route for people to know what to do when a child is at risk, how survivors can be supported, information on what the Police, City council and NHS are doing about FGM, more videos on FGM, more survivors to speak out and share their stories, funding opportunities for grass root organizations, information on international activities- what’s going on in other areas to stop FGM, strategies for protection of girls at risk and booklets about personal stories to raise awareness and funds for grassroots organizations tackling FGM. 4) Please tell us anything else you feel would be useful for us to consider? • The following suggestions were made: Have more survivor’s stories as they are powerful, provide leaflets with information on what’s happening locally and where people can get support, involve more young people and men, there is need for training GPs and nurses and midwives, provide information on how FGM came about. 5) What do you feel the next step should be after the conference to move FGM agenda forward? The following suggestions were made: • Get more men to speak up against FGM publicly, more awareness raising activities needed, organisations should get together as a community to tackle FGM, set up support groups for survivors of FGM, encourage others to take action, involve schools, facilitate debates locally and nationally, arrange another conference, bring more women from other cultures who are not familiar in FGM.
Round table discussions 3 questions set for the round table discussions: • What is being done in Nottingham about FGM and by who? • What do you want to see done about FGM in Nottingham? • Who do you think should be involved in this fight against FGM?
Way Forward: End FGM Conference Action Plans Data analysis by Xiaomin Qi - Photos by Sehrish Din & Joanna Frith
Following the national conference, Mojatu and the Nottingham FGM Steering Group analysed the results and the views of all those present. The analyses was based on data collected from feedback forms, commitment forms, question and answer session and the discussion forum facilitated by Michael Henry and Shamsher Cohen of Communities Inc. These results will help Mojatu, The Police, Local Authorities, Nottingham FGM Steering Group and other partners to tackle FGM locally and beyond. First, the conference had over 85 attendees with there being more women than men. Most of the respondents were shocked to hear that though the statistics state about 400 FGM survivors were seen over 6 months in the city’s hospitals, the data available is haphazard and difficult to collaborate and justify. They thus felt that there is need for better data collection and presentation processes to help not just support FGM survivors but also safeguard those in danger. Over 93% of the attendees felt that there is limited if any form of awareness especially among communities, including those affected by FGM plus the Caribbean and local communities hence the need for increased and continuous awareness campaigns. A similar number of people recommended that there was need for widened community and interprofessional engagement. They recommended that FGM awareness and campaigns locally should be targeted to schools, faith groups, youths , men and healthcare and medical professionals. The views of Chris Cutland, the deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for Nottinghamshire, on the need to forge new links with community groups so as to tackle FGM and increase reporting was also widely identified. Over 73% of the respondents felt that awareness of the dangers of FGM and better ways of enforcing
the laws are core in eliminating FGM. However, over 98% of respondents also felt that better knowledge by the community about what FGM is, its health implications, its lack of religious connotation and engaging survivors in FGM campaigns are fundamental approaches in eradicating FGM locally and globally. There was hence an overwhelming recommendation that FGM survivors and communities where FGM is practiced should be at the forefront of the training and tackling FGM campaigns and activities. The attendees also felt that there is little knowledge on the pathways for safeguarding, reporting or supporting either those in danger of FGM or the FGM survivors. Over 57% of the people felt that they either had no idea how to deal with supporting those in danger of experiencing FGM or supporting FGM survivors. There is thus need for a mapping tool that informs of the pathways for healthcare services of FGM survivors and better ways to report prospective cases of FGM. Many respondents also felt that information on services and support provision on FGM including knowledge, resources and details on agencies and professionals dealing with FGM are disintegrated and haphazard. There is thus need for creation of a centralised database that brings everyone dealing with FGM together. This will help in having a centralised tool or platform for helping to tackle FGM, support survivors, train individuals and communities on FGM and arm the local people with the necessary information on tackling FGM. There is hence a need to take a corporate approach when recognising the signs and symptoms of FGM and the referral processes. Moreover, there is need for tools to help cultural shift among practicing communities through awareness and engagement processes. In conclusion, everyone felt there is need for ongoing awareness activities to tackle FGM and safeguard those in danger of FGM. They also agreed that though legal deterrents are necessary, the MOST IMPORTANT thing is to protect young girls and women from having FGM done on them.
Progress made since the conference 1. The event got huge media coverage and the social media following the event has led to more connections being made where people are calling to find out more about FGM and how they can get involved. 2. Since the conference, Mojatu has had meetings with different individuals and officials of different local organisations interested in partnerships. 3. The Director, Valentine Nkoyo has been invited to join the City and County FGM Strategy Board. Being a link between the community and the professionals will enable coordinated efforts and activities within the city and county. 4. Survivors have started coming out seeking support and some are interested in getting involved in the FGM campaign. 5. The owner of the Eco Farm has designated an FGM area on his farm for raising awareness where we will be encouraging survivors and others to plant a tree in support of our FGM Campaigns. 6. More men have joined the NFSG. 7. Referrals have been made to us to support survivors from the Refugee Forum and community. 8. Nottingham survivors, through Mojatu, have
taken part in a National Radio Programme organized by Pain Concern that will be used by professionals across the UK. The programme will be available online beginning of May 2015. 9. More survivors and community members have had a chance to visit Eco Farm whom we are partnering with to facilitate therapeutic opportunities to survivors and other community members and support them to own an animal and adopt a tree. 10. Membership in the Steering group is expanding rapidly and more members of different communities want to be involved which is bringing a wealth of knowledge, skills and expertise given that most of the members are professionals from the health, education sector and also religious leaders. 11. Mojatu has been invited to send speakers to different conferences, workshops and events outside Nottingham and the work being done in Nottingham has been shared during those events. This includes training the Border Force at Hearthrow T5, an international Workshop held at Oxford University & conference in Leicester 12. Plans are underway to launch the FGM survivors club.
Upcoming events and future plans 1. Mojatu in collaboration with Eco Farm and the Kenya Nottinghamshire Welfare Association are organizing a Kenya Day at the farm which will also be an FGM awareness Day. The event is open to others and will start from 10 -4pm. The address to the farm is Home Farm, off Lodge Lane, Screveton, Nr Bingham, Nottingham. NG13 8JL. 2. We will be celebrating the Africa Day on 23rd May and this will also be an FGM awareness Day. The event is open to the public and will be held at Edwards Lane Community Centre, Alderton Road, NG5 6DX from 1-9pm. 3. We are organizing an international FGM conference to be held in Nottingham on 3rd September. This will be an opportunity to raise awareness further, showcase work being done in Nottingham on FGM, launch our FGM logo officially and also the referral pathway being developed by the City and County FGM Strategy Board. 4. Even though it’s important to raise awareness and help more people understand the ills of FGM and change perceptions, there is a huge need for a dedicated center for FGM survivors. Most FGM survivors suffer from the psychological impact of FGM which can be a lifetime challenge. A centre that will allow them to meet and discuss issues in a safe environment and that can be used to do different activities together will be handy. Such a centre will help the women living in isolation as a result of FGM to come out and meet with other survivors, they can support each other emotionally, learn English as some of them have limited language skills, empowerment talks and activities can take place there, they can also be involved in income generating activities which will not only help in raising awareness but also support themselves and their families financially. By having an income generating centre run by survivors, empowering them economically could help those living on benefits (if any) to learn new skills and come off benefits and consider further education and employment. Our aim is to have this centre set up in the next two-three years that will act as a multi-purpose centre offering support to survivors of FGM. 5. Other upcoming events and work to be carried out between now and December 2015 subject to securing funding includes film viewings, road shows within Nottingham, men’s only event (Man to Man), more farm visits and activities, faith leader’s discussions and more awareness on Mojatu Magazines.
From the presentation during the conference By DCI Melanie Bowden
The Community At Work: Conference attendees on the day
Acknowledgement Special thanks to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for funding our first national conference. We would also like to acknowledge the support of the City Council for sponsoring the venue and the continued support of Mandy Pride from the Community Cohesion team. The conference wouldn’t have been a success without the hard work and dedication of the Nottingham FGM Steering Group and the continuous support of its patron, Veronica Pickering, the Deputy Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire. Many thanks for all the support. We would like to acknowledge the support of all our speakers and facilitators who volunteered to speak and facilitate the event. We would like to thank the Kenya High Commission for their support. Our Community Media Champions have been instrumental in covering and supporting community events and sharing stories on what’s happening within the community. We acknowledge Sehrish Din, Annabel Omae, Xiaomin Qi, Fanta Manne, Hana Gibremedhen, Fiker Saifeselassie, Thelma Rusike, Irine Amadi and Trevor Coker. Special thanks to all the staff of Mojatu and volunteers for their continued support and high level of committment.
Mojatu 167 Alfreton Road, Radford, Nottingham, NG7 3JR info@mojatu.com www.mojatu.com +44 (0)115 8457009