My Voice 2: Women and female genital mutilation (FGM) in Scotland: A participatory action research project

Abstract

This report describes findings from the second phase of My Voice, a participatory action research project on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Scotland. My Voice aims to facilitate community engagement with FGM affected populations, to enable their voices to contribute to the development of awareness raising around FGM and to ensuring culturally appropriate FGM services for Scotland. The objectives of the project are: • To establish the perceptions, attitudes and experiences on FGM in Scotland • To engage FGM affected communities in participatory research • To gather evidence from communities affected by FGM to be used as a basis for dialogue and interaction in the development of appropriate FGM services in Scotland The first phase of My Voice aimed to document perceptions, attitudes and experiences of FGM among specific groups within affected communities, including young women (under 25 years), young men and older men, as well as religious leaders. In this second phase the focus has been on women over 25, arguably the most affected group, who are mostly married or have been married, with children and in many cases dealing with the negative health impacts of FGM. My Voice presents data that has been identified and collected by affected communities. It is the story that women with FGM wanted to tell. This information is essential in order progress the understanding of the challenges and complexity of the issues facing FGM affected communities in Scotland and helping to determine ways in which community participation can be built in to the Scottish response to FGM more effectively.