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November 2019 – Somaliland and FGC

At our November meeting, we were delighted to welcome Katy Newell-Jones who has spoken to our club previously about her work in Somaliland.

We also welcomed Ruth Thomas from SI Weston-super-Mare, one of our Friendship Link clubs.

Katy updated the club on progress to address FGC (Female Genital Cutting) in Somaliland. She noted that a number of changes had started to be made in response to her work.

Key points included a measurable change in the cutting practice and a move away from the most extreme forms of mutilation. There was also lack of agreement between groups on whether to aim for zero tolerance of FGC or to aim for cutting or pricking only. Religious leaders had endorsed the continuation of some form of FGC but had required that this should be a clinical procedure undertaken by health workers.

Unfortunately at present only 5% of the community consider that a “snip” is FGC. Not all health professionals feel able to challenge the demand for FGC practices. A new WHO 5 year project to tackle FGC would be undertaken in Somaliland, Guinea and Kenya – developing communication skills for health workers so that they can help in reducing the demand for all forms of FGC.

Katy was thanked for her most interesting presentation and her offer to return and update the club on progress was warmly welcomed.