Select campus:UKDubai
University of Birmingham
Menu

New project launched to explore communication about FGM in the West Midlands

A new project will bring together charities, local authorities and services, experts and academics to explore language used to discuss FGM in the West Midlands.

6 February 2025•4 min read
University of Birmingham crest on campus

A new project will bring together charities, local authorities and services, experts and academics to explore, and potentially improve the language used to discuss and raise awareness of FGM in West Midlands communities.

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a persistent and harmful practice that involves the partial or total removal of external female genitalia, which can have serious physical, psychological and social consequences and can even result in death. The West Midlands has one of the highest prevalence rates of FGM outside of London, with about 12-16 per 1,000 women experiencing FGM in their lifetime.

...very few studies have explored the language used in educational settings and campaigns relating to FGM and the impact it has on recipients. We must know what works, and what doesn’t so that government and organisations can create impactful communications to empower their recipients to make informed decisions and take appropriate actions that will lead to the eradication of FGM.

Professor Jeannette Littlemore, University of Birmingham

Today, (6th Feb), to coincide with International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (#Unite2EndFGM), a new project led by the University of Birmingham, has been kicked off at a special conference. The project will research and improve communications about FGM in education and campaign materials.

Jeannette Littlemore, Professor of Linguistics and Communication at the University of Birmingham, who is leading the research said: “The UK Government has recognised that FGM is a serious problem. In order to raise awareness and promote actions that will lead to its prevention, it has made it a national requirement for FGM to be included in all school settings in Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE) classes, in addition to creating national and regional public information campaigns.”

“In FGM research, there has been increasing recognition of the importance of using language that lands well with its recipients. However, very few studies have explored the language used in educational settings and campaigns relating to FGM and the impact it has on recipients. We must know what works, and what doesn’t so that government and organisations can create impactful communications to empower their recipients to make informed decisions and take appropriate actions that will lead to the eradication of FGM.”

Co-Chairs of Birmingham Against FGM, Arvindar Sagoo and Emma Chander, said: “The project being undertaken by the University of Birmingham will be invaluable to the work that we are currently doing in Birmingham. FGM is a hidden crime that often takes place within closed communities. Our hopes for the project are that we will be able to engage with these communities more effectively to enable them to access help and resources available to them.”

Female genital mutilation is a serious crime which cannot be mistaken for anything but child abuse. No one should have to experience this...

Jess Phillips, Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women & Girls

The Working Together to End FGM conference is being delivered in partnership with Birmingham Against FGM, a multi-agency group which seeks to lead and co-ordinate activity to prevent the practice of FGM across Birmingham.  It will feature speakers including Cllr Nicky Brennan who is a Cabinet Member for Social Justice, Community Safety and Equalities, and Jess Philips, MP for Birmingham Yardley and the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls, via a pre-recorded video. 

Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women & Girls, Jess Phillips, said: “Female genital mutilation is a serious crime which cannot be mistaken for anything but child abuse. No one should have to experience this, which is why we are committed to tackling FGM through our landmark mission to halve violence against women and girls within a decade.

“I will use every tool at my disposal to make sure that those who are responsible face justice - whether they commit the crime in the UK or arrange for it to happen abroad.”

Councillor Nicky Brennan, Cabinet Member for Social Justice, Community Safety and Equalities, said: "Female genital mutilation is an issue which continues to persist, even today. Girls who undergo female genital mutilation live with complications such as severe pain, shock, and infections, but also with long-term consequences for their sexual and reproductive health and mental health.

"Collective actions centred around creating environments where girls and women can exercise their power and choice, enjoying their rights to health, education, and safety is imperative. This is possible through a coordinated approach by raising awareness, taking action and engaging with whole communities to eliminate female genital mutilation to ensure a brighter, healthier, and more just future for all women and girls everywhere."

Whilst it is important to have an awareness day, to actually prevent and end FGM, education, communication and healthcare tailored to this issue should be readily available.

Assia Edon, FGM survivor and campaigner

A survivor of FGM will also be speaking about her experience. Aissa Edon, who herself experienced FGM when she was a child and now campaigns to end the practice, said: “6th February is International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, which calls for an end of FGM. Whilst it is important to have an awareness day, to actually prevent and end FGM, education, communication and healthcare tailored to this issue should be readily available.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster said: “Female genital mutilation is a criminal offence. It is a form of violence against women and girls and in the latter case it is child abuse. It is also a violation of the human rights, the health and the integrity of women and girls.

“Preventing and tackling violence against women and girls in all its forms is a top priority for me. I am pleased to be supporting International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation at this conference today.

“It is imperative that the rights and welfare of victims and survivors of FGM are protected and safeguarded, so that they are able to access the specialist support services they need to cope and recover.

“Committed and collective action is needed, engaging communities and focusing on human rights, gender equality, sexual education and law enforcement, to eliminate female genital mutilation and ensure an equal and just future for women and girls everywhere.”

FGM can have catastrophic consequences for women and girls, and it is only by working together on research like this, that we can get closer to eradicating the practice in the West Midlands and the UK.

Professor Jeannette Littlemore, University of Birmingham

Superintendent James Spencer, West Midlands Police, said: “Policing has a critical role to investigate this serious criminal offence and, working alongside our key partners, ensure children are protected and safeguarded. This crime is under-reported, and this conference is an important event to raise the profile and support all those that work with children to understand the signs and their responsibility to report.

“It’s not all about investigation, there is also a lot that policing and the wider partnership can do to prevent children suffering the long-term impact of FGM. Our focus also needs to be in this important area using tools such as FGM Prevention Orders and community engagement initiatives.”

Helen Kelly, Chief Nursing Officer for NHS Birmingham and Solihull ICB, said: “Female genital mutilation is an incredibly harmful practice. It’s our responsibility as healthcare professionals to ensure that the environments where women seek care are safe, understanding and compassionate. Equally important is the need for our staff to be well-informed on how to discuss FGM with our communities and provide appropriate care for those affected or at risk. This includes knowing how to appropriately escalate concerns and how to investigate cases without causing further trauma to women who have already endured so much. We know that the best way to achieve the best outcomes for our patients and communities affected by FGM is to work in collaboration with our partners. I’m pleased to see that work is continuing at pace and look forward to seeing what more our collaborative efforts can achieve.”

Professor Littlemore concluded: “As we mark FGM Zero Tolerance Day today, and begin work on this project, it is vital that collaboration with partners, experts, survivors, and communities remains at the heart of what we do. FGM can have catastrophic consequences for women and girls, and it is only by working together on research like this, that we can get closer to eradicating the practice in the West Midlands and the UK.”

Notes for editors

  • For media inquiries please contact Ellie Hail, Communications Officer, University of Birmingham on +44 (0)7966 311 409. Out-of-hours, please call +44 (0) 121 414 2772.

  • The University of Birmingham is ranked amongst the world’s top 100 institutions. Its work brings people from across the world to Birmingham, including researchers, teachers and more than 8,000 international students from over 150 countries.

Featured staff

  • Professor Jeannette Littlemore

    Professor of Linguistics and Communication

    Biographical and contact information for Professor Jeannette Littlemore, Professor of Linguistics and Communication at the University of Birmingham.

    Phone: +44 (0)121 414 6208
    Email:

Related news