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News Archive- 2012
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1st May 2012- FORWARD's Response to the Swedish Cake Controversy
Monday May 1st Saria Khalifa of FORWARD spoke out at the ‘Rage Against Racism protest’ at the Swedish Embassy organised by Black Feminists. This protest was in response to the negative impact that the cake ‘art’ by Makode Linde in Sweden had on many people. The spectacle in Sweden saw a cake cut being cut which was in the form of an ‘African woman’ and it was ‘cut’ (starting at the genitals) by Swedish Minister for Culture Lena Adelsohn Liljerothis. This spectacle was extremely offensive to women and girls affected by FGM. It has insulted and further traumatised women who have been through FGM and the spectacle trivialises the physical and psychological effects this practice has on women and girls. As FGM is a complex and sensitive issue, this ‘cake spectacle’ undermines campaigns to end the practice by further stigmatising women & girls who already face difficulty in accessing services and obtaining support. As an awareness raising tool this was not aimed at FGM affected communities or key policy makers; who are the key stakeholders making it an ineffective campaign technique. It has only managed to further compound the stereotypical views already held about Africa and African women. Never should awareness raising insult and degrade the very people who undergo FGM. This is another sad example of offensive misrepresentation of an important issue and of African women.’ See here for coverage on the protest.
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FORWARD the lead UK charity working to tackle female genital mutilation (FGM) has called on the UK government to adopt a more comprehensive approach to safeguard girls from this harmful practice. FORWARD’s research estimates that 24,000 girls under 16 years could be at risk of the most severe form of FGM in England and Wales. The warning comes as the Sunday Times Investigation revealed two UK health professionals and an Imam colluding in the illegal practice of FGM. FORWARD is urging the UK government to take stronger action to prosecute and necessary steps to safeguard UK girls this summer.
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FORWARD is celebrating International Women's Day by congratulating and remembering the unsung African heroines. These women persevere against all odds to have a positive impact and make a difference to the lives of other African women and girls affected by female genital mutilation (FGM), child marriage and obstetric fistula.
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On International Day of Zero Tolerance to female genital mutilation (FGM), The Foundation for Women’s Health Research and Development (FORWARD) and the Iranian and Kurdish Women’s Rights Organisation (IKRWO) are calling for a long-term, comprehensive strategy to tackle FGM in the UK.
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