Improving the language used to communicate about female genital mutilation (FGM) in educational and community settings in the West Midlands

Context

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a harmful practice that involves the partial or total removal of external female genitalia for non-medical reasons. It is estimated that more than 200 million girls and women globally have undergone FGM. In the West Midlands, 12-16 of every 1000 women and girls are affected.

The practice, which is still rising, has serious health, psychological and social consequences. To raise awareness of FGM and to promote actions that will lead to its prevention, awareness-raising campaigns have been rolled out across the UK. In addition, there is a UK-wide requirement for FGM to be included in all educational settings.

If these interventions are to be successful, it is important that the language used is accessible and acceptable to the recipients, including families and community leaders, as this is most likely to promote agency and empowerment, allowing them to make informed decisions and take appropriate actions.

Challenge

Despite the crucial importance of using the right language, 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 its recipients. Nor have there been any investigations into how the efficacy of the language can be maximised. This is important because the lexical and grammatical choices made in crafting messaging in relation to FGM will have powerful consequences for audience interpretations and subsequent actions.