The project involved a group of 14 young women from BME backgrounds researching and holding interviews to find out more about FGM (female genital mutilation). They used this material to make this compelling and moving drama documentary for radio. All the young women are between the ages of 14 and 16. 5 young men helped and supported them – they not only agreed to be interviewed about the subject, but one also acted in the programme.
Listen to this radio show:
The young women chose radio as a medium because they felt it would allow themselves, as well as Somali interviewees, a greater degree of privacy. They interviewed a selection of critical people who answered many of their questions. The interviewees included an Imam, to share the truth about FGM and Islam; Hilary Cooling, a medical doctor, to learn about the short and long term risks involved in the procedure; Sarah McCulloch, a known expert on this subject; a group of Somali young men; Amina Ahmed, a Somali mother and grandmother; Hannah Buckley, the government FGM coordinator and Dave McCallum, Chief Detective Inspector, Somerset Police, who clarified the legal position. The young women then wrote a script in which they embedded the interviews.
The young women’s aims included raising awareness, making it possible for young people from practicing communities to voice questions and to speak more openly about their concerns regarding FGM; dispelling negative stereotypes about young people and being proactive in making positive changes to their communities. They also wanted to find out why so little is done to effectively protect girls from FGM.
By the end of the project, over 30 young women were attending the interviews and it is clear that much more work is needed to put an end to this harmful, degrading practice.
Customer Reviews from iTunes:
Outstanding podcast, informative and well presented
by gt2511skating
This podcast is interesting to listen to and very informative abotu FGM. It would be ideal for young people who have undergone FGM or are worried that they might be about to, or who have friends affected by this. It doesn’t pull any punches, it asks the questions that need to be asked. It’s clear and easy to understand, and is from the point of view of a girl who is finding out about FGM for herself. I would highly recommend this for use by girls who may be affected by it, as well as use in schools / youth clubs etc., and for everyone who works with young people who could be affected. Also useful for parents / carers.
…MoreThe best way to find out why this doesn
by Alison Bown
Despite being illegal, there have been no arrests. Despite being damaging in ways that are impossible to articulate, it doesn’t stop. This documentary – featuring the police, the government and health professionals from the UK – explains just how and why the issue of FGM is so complex that it manages to survive almost every mechanism put in place to stop it. The documentary was put together by young women and features a dramatic structure that takes you from the issue of FGM right into the heart of the personal dilemma of a girl caught up in something she feels powerless to stop….
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