In this final episode of the series, we interview Hibo Wardere, author of Cut - a memoir of her own experience of FGM at the hands of her family as a six-year-old child and her subsequent journey with the trauma of that experience.
TRIGGER WARNING: detailed description of the female genital mutilation and vaginal cutting of children
Hibo is a committed campaigner against FGM, both in the UK and all over the world. Hibo speaks openly about her experience, the trauma, betrayal and pain of being cut and its impact on her relationship with her family and with herself.
We talk about protecting girls in our own communities - FGM is still practised on children living in the UK - and how to get involved. She makes the concept personal and real, and gives an insight on the role of men in FGM, the impact of the pandemic on the prevalence of cutting and gender-based violence and the economic machine that fuels the .
We also touch on the work of Rhobi Samwelli in Tanzania, an FGM survivor who risks her life to provide safe houses for girls at risk of being cut. Every year, hundreds of girls risk their lives and their connection with their families to escape the damage that is planned for them.
If you'd like to donate to support girls at risk of being cut now (during the annual cutting season), please click through here: https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/safe-house-training-centre-tanzania/. Even the price of a cappuccino will feed a girl for a few days. Give what you can.
Follow Hibo and support her work: https://twitter.com/HiboWardere https://www.instagram.com/hibowardere/
Read her book
16 days of activism against FGM: https://16dayscampaign.org 25th November to 10th December
Get help
If you think you are at risk of cutting, are concerned for a child or would like to access emotional support or medical services for yourself related to genital mutilation, we've included a list of resources below. Our list is UK-centric, but if you have access to the internet, you can find out about resources in your country.
Children can call the NSPCC,
Children can call Childline for free on 0800 1111
Adults who are concerned about a child can call their local Police station or the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000
Forward UK has a comprehensive list of ways to get help on their website: https://www.forwarduk.org.uk/i-need-help/
This includes your local authority, emergency services and non-emergency Police services.
http://nationalfgmcentre.org.uk - education about harmful practices
http://nationalfgmcentre.org.uk/uk-fgm-services/ Resources and support for survivors of FGM across the UK
Most London hospitals, and many across the country, have FGM clinics. You can attend to get support, medical help and talk about reconstructive surgery
https://inthenameofyourdaughterfilm.com/trailer/
You'll notice that some pesky dogs do some barking during this episode. Given the context, I think it's the least of our worries.
Email us at pastimperfectpodcast@gmail.com with comments (and pictures/stories of your Kinder oracles!). Follow us on instagram @pastimperfectpodcast and on Twitter @PastImperfect2
Note: we are two fairly well informed people with opinions that we like to talk about. We're not expert voices telling things how they are, just how the are for us.
Music: New Dawn by Ruth Blake. Listen to her music at www.ruthblake.com
Logo image based on Psychopomp by Hollie Chastain. Check out her art and amazing collage book at www.holliechastain.com