LEAF: language in education about FGM

The aims of LEAF are as follows:

In educational contexts:

• To explore how language in FGM classes affects language used by the children themselves when talking about FGM and the attitudes of the children towards FGM
• To explore how this impacts on the ways in which children talk to their parents and guardians about FGM

In other forms of communication including campaign materials:

• To identify potential issues in translation
• To explore the impacts that different linguistic formulations and visual images relating to FGM have on readers, listeners and viewers
• To identify language that best engages men and boys

And ultimately:

• To produce evidence-based guidance on the language that is appropriate and acceptable for use in FGM-related educational and campaign materials and communication.

How can the language we use to discuss and describe FGM in schools and community settings affect how we think and feel about it?

In FGM research, there has been an increasing recognition of the importance of using language that lands well with its recipients (Bedri & Bradley, 2017; Choudhary, Mishori, and Kim, 2019; Dixon et al., 2021; i Mestre and Johnsdotter, 2019). However, no studies to date have explored the language that is used in educational settings and campaigns relating to FGM, and the impact that it has on recipients. This is important because the linguistic choices we make in crafting messaging in relation to sensitive issues such as FGM can have powerful consequences for audience interpretations and subsequent actions. Well-chosen language, which is accessible and acceptable to the recipients has been shown to promote agency and empowerment (Mashford et al, 2011), which allows them to make informed decisions and take appropriate actions (Lindacher, et al, 2018).

LEAF is exploring this through a combination of approaches, including observations, interviews, surveys and analysis of existing materials. These are informed at all stages by the expertise of our project partners. We are focussing on the impact that language has on school children, its knock-on effect on parents/guardians and members of the affected communities (including men and boys), within and across generations, and its use in translated materials. Our aim is to determine how we might improve the type of language used in these settings to raise greater awareness of the issue, and to empower those at risk to seek help.

Principal Investigator: Professor Jeannette Littlemore

Co-Investigator: Professor Heather Flowe

Co-Investigator: Professor Julie Taylor

Co-Investigator: Professor Laura Jones

Research Fellow: Dr Susan Waigwa

Project Officer: Abigail Komo

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
• Care for Women and Girls
  
  

Organisations that develop and deliver educational and campaign materials:

• National FGM Centre
• FORWARD
• Sundial
  
  

Educational providers

• Services for Education
• DORCAS
• Sundial

Other key stakeholders

• Birmingham Against FGM 
• Birmingham Safeguarding Children Partnership

• Littlemore, J. and Waigwa, S. (2023). Language and Communication Relating to FGM in England. Evidence submitted to the UK Parliament Women and Equalities Committee inquiry into so-called honour-based abuse.
  
  
• Clark, M., Littlemore, J., Debelle, G., Taylor, J. (2022). Exploring child abuse linked to faith or belief (CALFB): diversity and debate, Nursing Children and Young People.

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

January 2025

Bringing FGM Out of the Shadows — Campaign Leaflets. The BAFGM Communications Group requested the LEAF Project's support while designing new leaflets and campaign materials. Comments and contributions were reviewed by the team and the materials were successfully launched in early 2025.

February 2025

International FGM Zero Tolerance Day. The LEAF Project organised and hosted the event at Edgbaston Hotel in collaboration with the Birmingham Against FGM (BAFGM) steering group. Over 100 professionals attended from across health, education, police, council, social services, and the voluntary and charity sector.

University of Birmingham News. The University of Birmingham Press covered the launch of the LEAF Project alongside the Zero Tolerance Day event. The coverage raised awareness within the University community about FGM and the work being done across the West Midlands to address the practice.

Birmingham and Solihull ICB NHS News. The ICB NHS Press published a news article covering the LEAF Project launch and the Zero Tolerance Day event. This raised awareness within NHS Trust communities about FGM and highlighted the collaborative work between health and higher education institutions, including the LEAF Project.

Birmingham Safeguarding Children Partnership (BSCP). A BSCP blog article covered both the LEAF Project launch and the Zero Tolerance Day event. The piece raised awareness within the BSCP community about FGM and the partnership between BSCP and higher education, with the LEAF Project cited as an example of that collaboration.

May 2025

Right Help Right Time — Document Review. The BAFGM Education Subgroup requested a review of this document, which had received feedback that its language leaned towards the health sector and was less accessible to professionals in other areas such as education. Feedback was provided to both the Education Subgroup and the main BAFGM group, and those responsible for the document agreed to meet and discuss proposed amendments.

Birmingham Safeguarding Children Partnership (BSCP) FGM Webpage. The BAFGM Communications Team, who were developing the new BSCP FGM webpage to replace a longstanding outdated page whose administrators could no longer be traced, invited the LEAF Project to provide feedback and suggestions. Those contributions were taken into consideration in shaping the final public-facing webpage.

BAFGM Education Subgroup — Chairing. Following a request from the main BAFGM group for the Education Subgroup to nominate someone to coordinate and chair its meetings and report back to the wider group, the LEAF Project took on that role. This brought consistency to the subgroup's work and supported the overall efficiency of the main BAFGM group's meetings and actions.

October to December 2025

University College London Hospital FGM Leaflet. Birmingham Paediatrics FGM Specialist Jane Armstrong requested a review of the UCL Hospital FGM leaflet, which her team was considering adapting for their own services. The LEAF Project reviewed the leaflet's linguistic features and provided detailed feedback to inform the development of a Birmingham-specific version.

January 2026

VAWG Strategy 2025–2030. Birmingham City Council invited the LEAF Project to review the Violence Against Women and Girls strategy document and attend its launch. Contributions focused on implementation approaches, and the suggestions provided were included for consideration as the accompanying action plan was developed.

FORWARD Nationwide Survey. At the request of FORWARD CEO Naana Otoo-Oyortey, the LEAF Project supported the distribution of FORWARD's nationwide survey by circulating it to all project partners and BAFGM partners. The contribution encouraged broader participation from the Midlands.

February 2026

International FGM Zero Tolerance Day. The BAFGM Steering Group invited the LEAF Project to present at the 2026 Zero Tolerance Day, hosted by Birmingham City Council and attended by approximately 50 professionals. The LEAF Project led an activity centred on a survey about language and gender, presenting the results alongside evidence-based research findings. The aim was to raise awareness about the importance of careful language choices when discussing FGM. The activity encouraged greater vigilance across the represented sectors — including education, social services, council, health, police, and voluntary organisations.

KAIA — Football-Related Violence Programme. West Midlands Police Early Help Officer PC Helena McKeon invited the LEAF Project to research preliminary evidence on managing the emotions of football spectators as part of efforts to reduce violence at and around matches. Research was conducted using AI tools and scholarly materials. Findings were summarised in a document that also highlighted relevant PhD opportunities within the University of Birmingham's Sport and Exercise Science department. Helena McKeon responded: “That is incredibly helpful and I will look to book an appointment with one of the supervisors and work from there. That’s really kind of you to have taken the time to pull this together for me.”

FGM Leaflets for Families and Children — Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. Consultant Community Paediatrician Jane Armstrong, working with colleague Steven Abbey, requested a review of newly designed leaflets for families and children under the care of community paediatricians. The LEAF Project provided suggestions on making the language more accessible and appropriate — including a recommendation that the leaflets should not close with mandatory referral information in a way that might deter service users from seeking support. The response was acknowledged and appreciated

March 2026

Curriculum Group Meeting. Invited by Ayisha Ali, Senior Education Adviser at Birmingham City Council, the LEAF Project presented initial findings from an evaluation of educational and campaign materials potentially seen by Years 11 to 16 across the West Midlands. The presentation highlighted language considerations within the materials reviewed, including aspects that educators may need to approach with care. Curriculum leaders were encouraged to reflect on their choices in PSHE and RSE design and review. Attendees responded positively, with several indicating they wished to engage further with the project. One attendee working with communities on menstrual health said: “I appreciated that you highlighted in your presentation about language when talking about struggling with menstruation, which sometimes can be miscommunicated. I will be considering more the language we use in the communities.”

Looking Ahead

Operation Limelight Campaign. West Midlands Police (Shereen Ballintine) has indicated that the unit running the Operation Limelight Campaign may seek the LEAF Project's input on language concerns within their campaign materials. The team is awaiting contact.

National FGM Forum. The LEAF Project has been invited by Astrid Fairclough of the National FGM Forum to present its work at the Forum. The presentation will be developed in line with the forum’s theme and its relevance to the LEAF Project’s findings.