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 Leaf Project team collaborated with Birmingham Against FGM to design new leaflets and campaign materials, which were successfully launched in early 2025. These aim to improve the visibility and reach of both the project and wider campaign.

February 2025

International FGM Zero Tolerance Day. Together with the Birmingham Against FGM (BAFGM) steering group, The LEAF Project team organised and hosted International FGM Zero Tolerance Day at Edgbaston Park Hotel. The event was a huge success, with over 100 professionals from across health, education, police, council, social services, and the voluntary and charity sector in attendance, highlighting the issue of FGM, as well as the work of LEAF and BAFGM.

The LEAF project launch and International FGM Zero Tolerance Day events both received coverage from a number of media outlets, including University of Birmingham News, Birmingham and Solihull ICB NHS News, and Birmingham Safeguarding Children Partnership (BSCP):

• 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 Integrated Care Board (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 Birmingham Safeguarding Children Partnership blog article covered both the LEAF Project launch and the Zero Tolerance Day event. As well as increasing awareness of the issue of FGM, this highlighted 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. At the request of the Birmingham Against FGM Education Subgroup, LEAF project members reviewed the use of language in this document, helping to make it more accessible to a wider range of readers, particularly those outside the healthcare sector.

Birmingham Safeguarding Children Partnership (BSCP) FGM Webpage. The BAFGM Communications Team invited the LEAF Project to provide feedback and suggestions on the development of their new BSCP FGM webpage. Those contributions were taken into consideration in shaping the final public-facing webpage.

Birmingham Against FGM Education Subgroup — Chairing. The LEAF project took on the role of chair and coordinator of the Education subgroup meetings for Birmingham against FGM. This provided consistency to the subgroup's work, in turn supporting the overall efficiency of the main BAFGM group's meetings and actions.

October to December 2025

University College London Hospital FGM Leaflet. Following a request from a Birmingham Paediatrics FGM Specialist, the LEAF project provided a review of the UCL Hospital FGM leaflet, in order to support the development of a Birmingham specific version. The LEAF Project reviewed the leaflet's linguistic features and provided detailed feedback, helping to maximise the efficacy and accessibility of the leaflet.

January 2026

Violence Against Women and Girls 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, 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 (Kick Against Injustice and Abuse)— Football-Related Violence Programme. West Midlands Police Early Help Officer 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, with findings summarised in a final document which was well received by the team, being describer as ‘incredibly helpful’ by the Officer involved.

FGM Leaflets for Families and Children — Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. A Consultant Community Paediatrician, working with a colleague 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 the 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 has indicated that the unit running the Operation Limelight Campaign may seek the LEAF Project's input on language concerns within their campaign materials.

National FGM Forum. The LEAF Project has been invited by 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.