FORWARD (The Foundation for Women's Health, Research and Development)
Since its establishment, FORWARD has been recognised as a leader in the field of working and campaigning for the elimination of female genital mutilation.
It has been a pioneer in promoting innovative strategies and community-orientated approaches towards the prevention and abandonment of FGM. In the UK FORWARD has been highly successful in the campaign for legislation against FGM. The organisation has also been at the forefront of training education, health, social service and other professionals on the issue of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and Child Protection, as well as voluntary and community organisations.
NB: Naana Otoo-Oyortey, from Forward, will lead one of the workshops at the UKPAC Study Day in Reading on 10 July.
Data on FGM in England and Wales
The United Nations has recognised female genital mutilation (FGM) as a human
rights violation. In the UK the practice is included in the UK Children Act and other
legislation. There is recognition that it is practised in some minority communities in the UK. It has also been the focus of two and half decades of educational campaigns by voluntary groups in the communities concerned.
Despite this, there are no reliable data on the extent of FGM in the United Kingdom.
Lack of data on FGM marginalises the issue. An urgent need for these data has been
expressed at all levels, from grassroots organisations to parliament.
Forward has produced A Statistical Study to Estimate the Prevalence of Female Genital Mutilation in England and Wales.
One of Forward's recommendations is that there is a need for an understanding of FGM not just as a health issue but primarily as an issue of violence against women and an abuse of girl children. Thus FGM should be given equal status with other forms of child abuse and all Social Services, Health, Education and the Police Child Protection Units should update their child protection policy and procedures to include FGM.
Dowload a copy (in PDF format) here
News: 22 June 2008
Police in the UK are to stage high-profile checks on flights to a number of African states in an attempt to stop young girls being taken abroad to be forcibly mutilated with the consent of their parents.
Research commissioned by the Department of Health suggests that more than 20,000 British girls are at risk of being forced into the agonising procedure, where all or part of their external genitals are cut off and stitched up. Officers will question all adults taking girls on certain flights, believing it is their best chance of saving thousands of children from female genital mutilation at the hands of tribal "elders" called in by their own families.
Moves to tackle the culturally sensitive issue will come as ministers from several government departments struggle to stamp out the ancient tribal tradition amid evidence that thousands of British girls are at risk from a ritual that is supposed to mark their transition into womanhood.
Forward UK estimates that around 11,000 British-based girls aged between nine and 15 have undergone the ritual – in the UK or in their parents' home countries.
Visit Forward UK's website