Interpreting, awareness-raising and advice
Updated 24 November 2015
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Birmingham and Solihull Women’s Aid (BSWAID) have an ongoing partnership with the Well Women’s Clinic at Heartlands Hospital.
An FGM Project Worker from BSWAID sits in the Well Women’s Clinic waiting room and speaks to the women about the health consequences of FGM and the law. The Project Worker also assists during the midwifery sessions, including interpreting, and speaks to both the mother-to-be and her partner in a follow-up session.
A number of the women who attend the services at the Well Women’s Clinic are not aware that they have type 3 FGM and that the health problems they are experiencing are related to it. As a result, they are often emotionally distressed when they are informed of what has happened to them by the Specialist Midwife.
The FGM Project Worker provides emotional support to the women while at the same time helps couples reframe their perception of FGM as a practice with negative consequences. The Specialist Midwife from Heartlands Hospital also provides inputs into community events organised by BWAID.
The sessions are aimed at raising awareness of the health consequences of FGM, and the law.