Labour MP Jess Phillips was one of a diverse group of featured speakers hosted by Professor Jeannette Littlemore.
On Thursday 6 February 2025, national representatives from local authorities, charities, policing and academia gathered at the Edgbaston Park Hotel in Birmingham to mark International Female Genital Mutilation Zero Tolerance Day. The conference, entitled ‘Working together to end FGM’, featured a diverse group of speakers that discussed the challenges faced in their shared mission to stop FGM. Attendees had the opportunity to learn from each other, exchange experiences and share best practice.
Speakers on the day included:
It was hugely gratifying to see all the different agencies who work together tirelessly to fight FGM together in one room
Reflecting on the day, Professor Jeannette Littlemore said: “It was hugely gratifying to see all the different agencies who work together tirelessly to fight FGM together in one room. Together we are a formidable force and I am looking forward to working closely with many of these agencies to explore ways in which communication around FGM can be at its most effective”
Co-Chair of Birmingham Against Female Genital Mutilation (BAFGM) Emma Chander said: “Zero Tolerance Day 2025 was a huge success for BAFGM. Hearing the determination and commitment from the partners in the room was inspiring and the bravery of our survivors, who had the courage to share their stories with us, is something that none of us will forget. We are looking forward to seeing how we move forward with eliminating FGM over the next 12 months and how Professor Littlemore’s project can help us in that achievement.”
The conference marked the launch of Professor Jeannette Littlemore’s project, ‘Investigating the language used to communicate about FGM in educational and community settings in the West Midlands’, which she says is vital to understanding how to make sure any communication on the subject lands well with those it’s aimed at.
“The linguistic choices that people make can have powerful consequences for audience interpretations and subsequent actions,” Professor Littlemore said. “Well-chosen language, which is accessible and acceptable to the recipients, promotes agency and empowerment, helping them to make informed decisions and take appropriate action.”
Partners on the project include: grassroots organisations working within FGM-affected communities in the West Midlands, some of which are run by survivors of FGM (Birmingham and Solihull Women’s Aid, DORCAS, Care for Women and Girls); organisations that develop and deliver educational and campaign materials (National FGM Centre, FORWARD and Sundial); educational providers (Services for Education); and a range of other stakeholders (Birmingham Against FGM, West Midlands Police, Birmingham Safeguarding Children Partnership).
Professor of Linguistics and Communication
Biographical and contact information for Professor Jeannette Littlemore, Professor of Linguistics and Communication at the University of Birmingham.
