Our Impact & Volunteering Grants Officer, Lilla Farkas shares key takeaways from Bawso’s Knowledge Exchange Event on eradicating Female Genital Mutilation.
On 6 February 2025 I had the opportunity to attend an incredibly powerful and thought-provoking event hosted by Bawso in Swansea. Held on the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), the event brought together survivors, policymakers, supporters, and frontline workers to exchange knowledge, share lived experiences, and discuss practical steps towards eradicating FGM.
With over 230 million women and girls globally having undergone FGM – a number that is likely to rise in the coming years – the urgency to prevent this form of gender-based violence has never been greater. The event stressed the value of prevention, support, and policy change, with speakers offering a mix of personal insights, data-driven discussions, and calls to action.
SURVIVOR VOICES AT THE HEART OF CHANGE
Bawso’s CEO, Samsunear Ali, opened the event by emphasising the importance of working directly with survivors and communities. She highlighted how Bawso integrates survivor feedback into their services and policymaking, with two survivors now serving on the organisation’s board.
Bawso’ work is centred around prevention and raising awareness, ensuring women understand their basic human rights and are equipped with tools to challenge injustices.
HEALTH, TRAUMA, AND SUPPORT SERVICES
Yasmin Khan, National Adviser for Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse, and Sexual Violence (VAWDASV), spoke about the lifelong impacts of FGM. Survivors often suffer from PTSD, chronic pain, and complications during childbirth, sometimes only discovering the full extent of the damage years later.
This was powerfully conveyed in a video featuring survivors who shared their lived experience and the lasting impact on their lives. She also emphasised the need for specialised aftercare and mental health support, with a call for sustainable funding for survivor support services.
Cllr Alyson Anthony highlighted the vital role of local politics in addressing VAWDASV through policy, funding, and collaboration with voluntary organisations. She stressed the need for early intervention, ensuring survivors receive appropriate support. She acknowledge the challenges around funding gaps and service coordination, reinforcing the importance of a unified approach.
DATA GAP – A BARRIER TO EFFECTIVE ACTION
Bawso’s Nancy Lidubwi stressed the need for better data collection to inform services and policy. The last census data on FGM in the UK dates back to 2011, and many cases go unreported. The gaps in data make it difficult for organisations like Bawso to plan services and secure the funding needed for prevention and support programmes.
Although the UK has strengthened its legal framework against FGM, enforcement remains a challenge. Only three convictions have been made under the Female Genital Mutilation Act (2003), demonstrating the difficulty in prosecuting cases.
During the panel discussion a question emerged about whether it is better to focus on prevention rather than prosecution. The consensus was clear: both are essential. While legislation plays a crucial role, prevention through education, awareness, and engagement with communities is fundamental in stopping FGM before it happens.
POLICING AND PROTECTION MEASURES
A representative from South Wales Police spoke about their work in tackling honour-based abuse, forced marriage and FGM. Officers receive specialised training, and a Preventative Orders Team reviews incidents daily to implement protection measures. The Vulnerability App supports frontline officers by guiding them through necessary steps and linking them to relevant services. Survivor engagement events with Bawso have also provided key insights to improve police support for victims.
MEN MUST BE PART OF THE SOLUTION
Several speakers highlighted that FGM is a cultural practice, not a religious one, with its persistence often fuelled by societal pressures. Hillary Logohe, a volunteer with Bawso, spoke passionately about the vital role men play in challenging and dismantling the harmful cultural norms that support FGM. By involving men in these important conversations, we can shift societal attitudes and ensure that the responsibility for change is shared across communities.
TACKLING FGM IN UGANDA
Rooda Ahmed, FGM Project Manager, spoke about Bawso’s significant progress in addressing FGM in Uganda’s Sebei region through a project funded by Welsh Government’s Wales and Africa Scheme. Partnering with the Sebei Community Empowerment Project, Bawso works closely with local leaders, schools and communities to raise awareness and challenge harmful cultural practices.
The project’s outreach includes door-to-door campaigns, radio shows, and workshops for both elders and schoolchildren, educating over 700 students on the dangers of FGM and empowering them to take action.
Bawso’s work in Uganda is also benefiting Wales through community engagement sessions in Swansea and Cardiff. The project has raised awareness about FGM in local schools, such as Pentrehafod High School, and with community groups, as part of their wider work addressing violence against women and girls.
Bawso has also created bilingual educational materials on FGM, sharing these resources with both Welsh communities and their partners in Uganda. These efforts help connect the two regions and support Wales’ broader goals to combat violence against women and girls.
THERE IS STILL WORK TO DO
The event was an eye-opening reminder that FGM is not a distant issue, it’s happening in the UK as well. No local authority in Wales is free from FGM, and while significant progress has been made, more needs to be done to protect women and girls at risk. Survivor voices, community engagement, political will, and cross-sector collaboration are all critical in this fight.
FIND OUT MORE
You can find out more about the Sebei Project on Bawso’s website. To find out more about our Wales and Africa grant scheme please visit the scheme page.