How the media can end FGM by 2030

This was a truly hybrid event, with hundreds of people joining us in the room and also online (via a Youtube live stream). As we always strive to do, we provided this event free of charge to all attendees. 

The Conduit’s stunning new venue in Covent Garden provided our audience with a safe and peaceful space to learn about the realities of female genital mutilation. We worked closely with the founder of GMC, Maggie O’Kane, to make sure this event gave our audience a chance to contribute to their grass-roots campaigns. 

Whatever the topic, the audience is key in making a difference.

As for all of our events, we made sure there was a chance for the audience to respond to the experts on the panel.

At this event to end FGM by 2030, we began by listening to the incredible One Thousand Voices audio art installation. The soundscape “stands in solidarity with those affected by FGM and breaks the taboo of silence surrounding the issue”, as presented by Katya Berger and contemporary artist Owanto.

After that powerful introduction to the event, we shared a poignant film made by GMC, so that we could all understand the realities of FGM around the world.
Then began the conversation with the panellists, followed by a question and answer session. Our audience needed no encouragement, and were keen to hear how a room full of people in London could realistically play a role in stopping FGM cutting in Guinea.

A question that came from our audience (and really got us talking!) was:

‘Should Britain be imposing judgments or advice regarding health behaviours upon other cultures and nations?’

The importance of having a great panel

 We’ve done so many events at AnotherWay Now that we’ve lost count. The key lesson we’ve learnt over the years is the importance of an appropriate, impressive and knowledgeable panel. Furthermore, the more an audience can interact with the panel, the more we can all learn, and ultimately, the greater change can be made. 

At this event ‘How to stop FGM/C by 2030’, we had an in-room panel of experts, PLUS several experienced activists joined us via Zoom.

Our moderator, Paul Van Zyl, spoke to the activists who joined us from Sierra Leone, Somalia, Nigeria and Kenya. We particularly enjoyed hearing how rapidly the activists are able to stop waves of FGM ceremonies taking place with targeted community-led campaigns. One example came from Jeremiah Kipainoi, who demonstrated that hundreds of girls were saved from cutting last year through his direct action in the community.  

The founder of the Global Media Campaign, Maggie O’Kane, explained how we can play our part in such interventions. She told us how in recent months, the GMC’s targeted funding campaigns have led to specific reductions in cutting. 

The #BornPerfect campaign has recently been launched across Facebook, Instagram and other social media channels. Using the voices and platforms of football stars across the world, the GMC are creating a wave of anti-FGM messaging, and we were proud to share this in the room during this event. We saw a message from Efe Ambrose with his daughters, calling out for an end to FGM. 

We hope that this campaign continues to spread across social media, and with it, may it bring a change in attitudes where it matters most.