Female Genital Mutilation Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation Objective: To inform students about female genital mutilation and the reasons why it is practised through focusing on real life stories. Outcomes: To know what FGM is, why it is illegal in many countries and its impact on the rights and wellbeing of girls and to know how to get help and support for those who need it.

“Rights” Lotto Game Working with your partner, read each of the scenarios and match it to the correct “Rights of the Child” Why do you think Article 19 and Article 3 are so important? “Rights” game resource

What if FGM? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1JAfpHf4uY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOvpV-LrkF8 The first video gives an explanation of FGM and where it is practiced around the world. Remind students that FGM not only happens in African and Muslim communities: it happens in Southeast Asia, Arabic countries and in Christian communities The second video should be played until 3:14. Before starting this video, to through and describe a female’s outer genitals. (Clitoris, Urethra, vaginal opening and anus) When the video gets to the 4 types of FGM, pause the video after each type to ensure the students’ understanding.

Fact or Myth? FACT 1. Female genital mutilation is the deliberate cutting of a girl's external genitals (private parts). Activity: Fact or Myth? Pupils vote on whether they think a statement is fact or myth

Fact or Myth? FACT 2. In many countries it is carried out by women who have no medical training, using unsterilized knives, blades or sharpened stones, without anaesthetic (pain relief). Activity: Fact or Myth? Pupils vote on whether they think a statement is fact or myth

FACT 3. Female genital mutilation is nearly always carried out on Fact or Myth? FACT 3. Female genital mutilation is nearly always carried out on children, commonly between four and twelve years of age. Activity: Fact or Myth? Pupils vote on whether they think a statement is fact or myth

Fact or Myth? MYTH 4. There are lots of health benefits to having female genital mutilation Girls are in danger of dying from blood loss or infection during and after the procedure Activity: Fact or Myth? Pupils vote on whether they think a statement is fact or myth

5. Girls need to have female genital mutilation to have babies Fact or Myth? MYTH 5. Girls need to have female genital mutilation to have babies Women who have undergone female genital mutilation are likely to experience difficulty in childbirth Activity: Fact or Myth? Pupils vote on whether they think a statement is fact or myth

6. Female genital mutilation is supported by religion Fact or Myth? MYTH 6. Female genital mutilation is supported by religion Female genital mutilation is a ‘traditional’ practise and is linked to custom rather than religion Activity: Fact or Myth? Pupils vote on whether they think a statement is fact or myth

7. Female genital mutilation is not a crime in the UK Fact or Myth? MYTH 7. Female genital mutilation is not a crime in the UK There is a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison for anyone found guilty of the offence. It is also illegal to take someone out of the UK for them to be cut, even if they are not a UK citizen. Activity: Fact or Myth? Pupils vote on whether they think a statement is fact or myth

8. Female genital mutilation is a form of child abuse Fact or Myth? FACT 8. Female genital mutilation is a form of child abuse Activity: Fact or Myth? Pupils vote on whether they think a statement is fact or myth

9. Female genital mutilation is a violation of human rights Fact or Myth? FACT 9. Female genital mutilation is a violation of human rights Activity: Fact or Myth? Pupils vote on whether they think a statement is fact or myth

10. I can’t do anything to stop FGM Fact or Myth? MYTH 10. I can’t do anything to stop FGM By speaking out and saying female genital mutilation is unacceptable, you add your voice to international pressure for the practice to end Activity: Fact or Myth? Pupils vote on whether they think a statement is fact or myth

Plenary What is FGM? Do you feel everyone has the right to protect their body. Why?

Case study: Interview with a mother and her children https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNCQA9GMYps Why was the mother confused about her own experience of FGM? Do you think the mother wanted her children to have FGM? Explain. Layla Hussain and her siblings speak with their mother about FGM and their experiences.

Testimonies from Survivors of FGM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkDuzLA8T9w This video is 8:40 in length. It gives first hand accounts of FGM. Students are to complete the Consequences of FGM worksheet while watching the video.

Consequences of FGM A girls has FGM (is cut) This is to be completed while the video on slide 19 and then discussed as a class.

Why is FGM performed? Social Reasons Economic Reasons Protect the girl’s virginity Decrease a woman’s sex drive Enhance a man’s sexual pleasure Signal the girl is now a woman Some communities believe it is a religious requirement Economic Reasons Men will pay more money for the bridal price Circumcisers are paid (good source of income) FGM celebrations provides gifts and money to the girl and her family Go through the reasons and why each one contradicts itself. Explain the importance of the circumcisers needing an alternative means of earning money for their family

Cutting Season – Starts in the spring and picks up with a vengeance leading up to and over the summer holidays. Arrange for cutters – group discount It illegal in the UK or to take anyone who normally lives in the UK abroad to have FGM; even if the girl is not a UK citizen. FGM Protective orders will be put in place if authorities are made aware of a girl who may be in danger If you carry it out or arrange for it to be done, even abroad – up to 14 years https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6-w77RJ62Y

How do we stop FGM? 60,000 girls under 15 are at risk in the UK 137,000 girls and women are living with the consequences of FGM in the UK Education for both men and women https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWbwqyHyHU8 If you think a girl is at risk or you have a concern, tell someone (teacher, school nurse, police, etc.) FGM concerns will be taken seriously because all professionals are required to treat any concern as a child protection issue It will be treated seriously and the case will be assess and ways to protect the child will be put in place Does not mean the girl will be taken from her home Only happen in rare cases where the parents fail to guarantee they will not carry out FGM

#EndFGM #FGMletstalk West Midlands Police There are many organisations set up to end female genital mutilation. You can get more information, support and advice about female genital mutilation in the UK from:   Childline   Daughters of Eve Healthy Schools London Foreign and Commonwealth Office NHS NSPCC FGM Helpline Forward #FGMletstalk West Midlands Police http://petals.coventry.ac.uk/ This slide can be posted around the school or given to the students as a handout.

Petals App http://petals.coventry.ac.uk/ Click on the link and show the students who to close the screen without leaving a browser history

You CAN make a difference! We all agree that Female Genital Mutilation must stop. You and your partner are going to create a campaign to inform people about FGM and why it should end. Create an information poster for parents and their children. Make up a song, rap or poem about FGM and how to stop it. Write a newspaper article or blog post for anyone from the local community to read In each case you must explain what female genital mutilation is and why you think it needs to stop being practiced. Activity: What would you do? Ask pupils to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the issues around female genital mutilation by either: Creating a poster Writing a song, rap or poem Write a newspaper article or blog post for the local community