1. 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.

2. “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

5. What if FGM? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1JAfpHf4uY
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.

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

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

18. Case study:
Interview with a mother and her children
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.

19. Testimonies from Survivors of FGM
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.

20. 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.

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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
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

24. #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
This slide can be posted around the school or given to the students as a handout.

25. 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

26. 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