NSW EDUCATION PROGRAM ON FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION

ANNUAL REPORT

Incorporating

Updated Literature and Population Figures

Professional Development Report

Community Development Report

and

Resource Development

July 2008 – June 2009

PROGRAM STAFF Vivienne Strong Program Manager (0.5 FTE) Shairon Fray Professional Education Officer (0.4 FTE) Linda George Community Education and Development Officer (1.0 FT) Denise Maguire Management and Project Support Officer (0.6 FTE) CURRENT CONTRACT BI-LINGUAL COMMUNITY WORKERS Almaz Yimam Bintu Kamara Camelia Bedwany Fawzia Osman Fergeri Georgette Hilmi Kin Mohamed Salah Lila Ibrahim Lilian Sedrak Mariam Abdullahi Mariam James Nadia El Sergany Neamat El Safty Tiange Johnson Tigi Daramay Wafa Sourial CURRENT MENS ADVISORY GROUP Alpha Pecos Bah Assefa Bekele Ahmed Ahmed Hasim El Rawe George Albert George Mansary Report compiled by Staff of NSW FGM Program

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CONTENTS

Program Staff …….…………………………………………………………………. 2 Current Contract BCW’s …………………………………………………………… 2 Current Men’s Advisory Members ………………………………………………… 2 Abbreviations ………………………………………………………………….……. 4 A Global View of Female Genital Mutilation ……………………………………… 5 Trends against FGM ………………………………………………………………. 6 The Global Challenges Ahead ……………………………………………………. 8 FGM Practising Countries with Prevalence and Type of Practice ……………… 9 ABS 2006 Census Data ……………………………………………………………… 10 Program Managers Report ………………………………………….……………… 12 Professional Education Report …………………………………………………….. 13 Community Education and Development Report ………………………………… 17

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ABBREVIATIONS AMHN Area Multicultural Health Network BCW Bi-lingual Community Worker CALDB Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Background CRC NSW Community Relations Commission (formerly NSW Ethnic Affairs

Commission) EAPS Ethnic Affairs Priority Statement LEAPS Local Ethnic Affairs Priority Statement LGA Local Government Area NESB Non-English Speaking Background NSW FGM New South Wales Education Program on Female Genital Mutilation SWAHS Sydney Western Sydney Area Health Service TMHC Transcultural Mental Health Centre UNICEF United Nations Children’s Fund

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A Global View of Female Genital Mutilation (also referred to as cutting (FGM/C) or circumcision).

The most recent and comprehensive survey undertaken on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

was conducted by UNICEF in 2005 when they undertook a statistical exploration of FGM across

the globe. The report stated that the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that between

100 million and 140 million girls and women alive today have experienced some form of the

practice. It is further estimated that up to 3 million girls in sub-Saharan Africa, Egypt and Sudan are at risk of genital mutilation annually. See Figure 1 - global prevalence rates display

significant regional and geographic variations.

Using available survey data, countries where FGM/C is practised can be broadly separated into

three groups according to prevalence rates. (UNICEF. A Statistical Exploration of FGM/C

2005).

In north-eastern Africa, prevalence varies from 97% in Egypt to 80% in Ethiopia.

In Western Africa 99%of women in Guinea, 71 % in Mauritania, 17% in Benin and 5% in Niger

have undergone FGM/C. Where data are available for south-eastern Africa the prevalence

rates are relatively lower at 32% in Kenya and 18% in the United Republic of Tanzania.

In Iraqi Kurdistan members of female-lead Mobile Teams run by the relief organization WADI,

reported in 2004 the existence of FGM in several villages of the Germian area, South of

Suleymaniah. Members of the Mobile Teams interviewed around 1,500 women and young girls,

907 of them had been circumcised. A similar study in the Arbil region showed that of 440

women 380 were circumcised.

FGM is widespread among women and girls (60 % up to virtually 100 % affected in some

regions) and exists in nearly all parts of the Kurdish region of Iraq (with the only exception of

Dohuk governorate where FGM-rates are down to 10 %).

The latest findings from the Pishder region and Raniyah paints a dramatic picture of the

situation with approximately 95 % of females interviewed indicating they had been circumcised. http://www.stopfgmkurdistan.org/html/english/fgm_e.htm#mape

Reports from Mauritania indicate FGM affects up to 71 % of the country's women and girls

depending on the region where women live. Types I and II are practised in Mauritania.

Infibulation (Type III) is unknown. In rural areas, FGM is more widespread than in the towns.

Most often, girls are subjected to FGM at the age of eight days, but sometimes mutilation is

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practised on girls aged between two and six years. Cases are also known where women have

been mutilated immediately prior to the birth of their first child, in the belief that this will make

childbirth easier. To justify this practice, tradition, myths, ancestral practices, presumed

religious obligations and medical necessity are advanced. Many men and women are said to

think that FGM is required by religion, but 70 % of men and 64 % of women would be prepared

to abandon the practice www.gtz.de/de/dokumente/en-fgm-countries-mauritania

http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/mauritania.

Trends against FGM A statistical exploration on FGM carried out by UNICEF (2005) highlighted how the practice has

changed over time and there is now a shift in ‘prevalence rates’.

In its studies it focused on the following countries: Mali, Mauritania, Eritrea, Northern Sudan,

Guinea, Ethiopia, Egypt, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Yemen, Kenya, Nigeria, United Republic

of Tanzania, Benin and Niger. UNICEF found that by looking at the age distribution of FGM

among girls indicated that most countries demonstrated lower prevalence rates in younger

women. The exception this was with women in Eritrea, Mali and Mauritania. The report states

that these countries have the highest prevalence of FGM. The research also found that FGM

rates are lower among women with a higher education and these women are less likely to have

their daughters circumcised. This could be explained by the fact that there is overall low levels

of education in some of these countries. However they found In Nigeria, the likelihood of having

at least one daughter circumcised is greater among women with some education (Female Genital

Mutilation/cutting. A statistical exploration 2005 UNICEF).

Another variable that may Influence the prevalence rate of FGM is the place of residence. Research has shown that rural women have significantly higher levels of FGM than their urban

counterparts. According to the same research by UNICEF(2005) "In addition to the effects of

urban development, prevalence variations based on residence are probably rooted in such

factors as the area’s ethnic composition, neighbouring countries, dominant religious affiliation,

and level of urbanization”.

Over the last two decades, many countries have designed legal frameworks that criminalise

FGM and protect women and girls against the practice. Despite this the practice still continues.

Nevertheless, there are also success stories and over the last decade there have been some

positive shifts in both speaking out against the practice of FGM and banning the practice. Below

are just some of the positive moves in eradicating FGM across the globe:

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• In March 2003 it was reported that FGM is practices by the Bohra Muslims in Pakistan

and it is estimated that 100,000 live in the country. There is no available statistics on the

extent to which the Bohra practice FGM but it has reportedly declined in the last few

years. (Country Reports on Human Rights Practices Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor

March 31, 2003)

• In March 2007 a decision made by Muslim leaders in North Eastern Kenya to talk

about the dangers of FGM turned into a significant campaign. The campaign is

spearheaded by the Muslim Council of Imans and Islamic school teachers of Kenya.

The campaigns have now extended to the coastal provinces www.irinnews.org

• In 2007 in Nigeria’s capital city a banner parade was organised by the Federal Ministry

of Health in collaboration with the United Nations Fund for Population Activities

(UNFPA) (2007 Daily Champion. http://allafrica.com/stories/200702261168.html 2/26/2007

The Minister of State for Health warned that henceforth, there would be zero tolerance

for perpetrators of this act of violence against women, this violation of the fundamental

human and reproductive rights of females. The legislation to be put in place should

shape the national policy on the total abolition of the practice while structures must be

put in place to ensure that the legislation and policy are implemented to the letter.

• Sudan has had legislation in place since 1946 yet FGM is extensively practised.

However, in Kadugli, (State in Sudan) a law was passed in November 2008 prohibiting

FGM/C in the state of Southern Kordofan is unique in Sudan. It took 18 months of

advocacy and awareness campaigning by the male dominated legislative council to get

this law passed. In addition, information will be issued at the birth of every girl and

incorporated into the curricula www.irinnews.org

• In February 2009, 10 United Nations agencies expressed their commitment to the

elimination of female genital cutting/mutilation, by pledging to support governments,

communities, and women and girls to abandon the practice within a generation, with a

major reduction in many countries by 2015, the year the Millennium Development Goals

are set to be achieved www.unicef.org.

• It was reported in the Guardian weekly on June 16th 2009 that a midwife from Guinea, West Africa took radical action against this practice and this has led to two villages

openly banning the practice.

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• In March in 2009 in Payvand Iran News reported that whilst the practice of FGM is

widely practiced in Iraq’s and Iran’s Kurdish communities members of women’s rights

groups believes that attitudes are now changing.

• On July 03 2009 Uganda stated it will pass a law banning female genital mutilation,

which is rampant among pastoralist tribes in the country's eastern region, the

president said in a statement on Friday www.guardianweekly.uk.org.

• UNICEF, in partnership with the Mauritanian Government, local non-governmental

organizations and civil society, has worked for measures to prevent abuse, neglect,

violence and discrimination, while creating a protective environment for children.

Mauritania commemorated the International Day of Zero Tolerance on FGM/C in 2007.

The day marked the launch of a national strategy and action plan to abandon FGM/C www.gtz.de/de/dokumente/en-fgm-countries-mauritania http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/mauritania.

The Global Challenges Ahead Despite the fact that there are at least 16 African countries banning the practice it still

continues. There have been reports of prosecutions or arrests in cases involving FGM in

various African countries, including Burkina Faso, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Senegal and Sierra

Leone.

Some of the challenges ahead are:

1 In developing dialogue with key government and non-government bodies in

practicing communities where there is legislation against the practice to ensure that

legislation is upheld in the courts of law and

2 To support the many individuals and groups who lobby against the practice and who

educate communities on the issues of human rights of women and girl children,

enabling them to recognise the negative consequences of such practices on the

physical and psycho-social health of women and on the health of the broader

communities.

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FGM Practising Countries with Prevalence and Type of Practice

Country Prevalence Type

Benin 5-50% excision Burkina Faso up to 70% excision Cameroon local clitoridectomy and excision Central Afr. Republic 45-50% clitoridectomy and excision Chad 60% excision and infibulation Comoros very local excision Côte d'Ivoire up to 60% excision DRC (Congo) local excision Djibouti 98% excision and infibulation Egypt 85-95% clitoridectomy, excision and infibulation Eritrea 95% clitoridectomy, excision and infibulation Ethiopia 70-90% clitoridectomy, excision and infibulation Gambia 60-90% excision and infibulation Ghana 15-30% excision Guinea 65-90% clitoridectomy, excision and infibulation Guinea Bissau local clitoridectomy and excision Kenya 50% clitoridectomy, excision and some infibulation Liberia 50% excision Mali 94% clitoridectomy, excision and infibulation Mauritania 25% clitoridectomy and excision Niger local excision Nigeria 60-90% clitoridectomy, excision, some infibulation Senegal 20% excision Sierra Leone 90% excision Somalia 98% infibulation Sudan 90% infibulation and excision Tanzania 18% excision, infibulation Togo 12% excision Uganda local clitoridectomy and excision

Sources: Based on UN agencies, Amnesty, US Govt. and afrol archives. Based on statistics from Amnesty International and US govt.

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ABS 2006 Census Data (Female) from Communities’ known to Practice FGM residing in NSW + DIAC Data June 2007 - June 2009

Country of Birth

Number of females in NSW 2006

Source ABS 2006

Additional Number of Females in NSW 2007-8

Source DIAC Data

Additional Number of Females in NSW 2008-9

Source DIAC Data

Total Number of Females from FGM practicing

communities June 2009

Source ABS + DIAC

Countries known to practise FGM Type 1, 2 and 3 Egypt 8371 93 114 8578Eritrea 76 2 10 88Ethiopia 393 38 58 489Ghana 701 48 40 789Indonesia 12034 565 365 12964Iraq (Kurdish) not available 15 6 21Kenya 1086 47 38 1171Liberia 195 23 28 246Nigeria 399 21 32 452Sierra Leone 418 77 60 555Somalia 284 10 16 310Sudan 2756 89 96 2941Mauritania 10 0 10Sub Total 26,713 1,038 863 28,614 Countries thought to practise Type 4 FGM Bangladesh 4082 404 508 4994India 25743 2,511 2,306 30560Malaysia 12732 370 240 13342Pakistan 3822 299 317 4438Philippines 35251 1,203 1,162 37616Sub Total 81,630 4,787 4,533 90,950 Countries adjacent to FGM practising countries Burundi 77 14 19 110D.R Congo 68 29 17 114Sub Total 145 43 36 224 TOTAL

108,488 5,868

5,432

119,788

Source: ABS 2006/DIAC2007-9 Immigration Data

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BCW’s Wagga Wagga TAFE – Rural Outreach Egyptian Women’s Cultural Day

Kurdish Cultural Dance Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony

Liberian Traditional Dance Sudanese Women’s Cultural Day

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Program Managers Report 2008 -2009 has been an exciting year for NSW FGM. A number of key initiatives have

commenced and newly developed ones consolidated. In addition the numbers of females from

FGM practicing communities now living in NSW has increased considerably since the 2006

ABS was published. (See Table 1). As with all programs or organisations the issue of funding

continues to challenge us all, inspiring new and innovative strategies to achieve good health

outcomes for women and their communities.

In 2009 NSW FGM was contacted by ACT Health to assess the possibility of implementing the

Professional Health Education program in the Territory on a cost recovery basis. The training

was held over two days and received excellent evaluations and feedback to the Professional

Education Officer (see comprehensive Professional Education Report).

A Conference Abstract was submitted to The Australian Women’s Health Network Conference

to be held in Hobart 2010. NSW FGM has received advice that the submission was successful

and it is planned to have both the Professional and Community Educators attend to present at

this important event.

In 2008 NSW FGM developed referral protocols to both a uro-gynaecologist and counsellor for

women (and partners) experiencing both physical and psycho-social side affects from FGM.

Both of these services are located in the SWAHS region. In addition to these two professional

referrals the Program has received agreement from Professor Kate Moore St George Hospital,

to also receive referrals from WH nurses in the SEIAHS. The Program will work with the WHN

from SESIAHS in the development of these protocols.

This additional referral gives women the choice of counsellors and uro-gynaecologists within

the Sydney area.

Activity with the men in target communities has increased with a successful education program

focusing on human rights – this is a follow on from the 2nd Men’s Seminar where men

expressed their need to know and understand the issue of human rights, especially as it relates

to FGM and women in their communities.

In 2008 – 2009 a program of Cultural Days was held with 297 women from seven communities

participating. A comprehensive report has been developed and will be available on the DHI

website www.dhi.gov.au (for a comprehensive listing of activities see Community Education and

Development Officers Report).

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NSW Health Women’s Health Plan 2009 – 2011. This document is in its final draft and NSW

FGM has received a commitment to evaluate the Program’s work since 2000. The findings of

the evaluation will se the direction for the Program over the ensuing years – we will keep the

NSW FGM Advisory Group informed of any progress.

In addition to the Program Evaluation, the DOH has determined that it will examine the

feasibility of developing State-wide clinical standards for the management of circumcised

women presenting to maternity services in collaboration with AHS.

Resource development in 2008 – 2009 included the development of a new logo, the revision of

the program information brochure and the design and production of a banner for use at

conferences and exhibitions.

NSW FGM is now represented on the Sex Crimes & Joint Investigation Response Squad

Advisory Council Meeting. This has been beneficial to the Program in raising officers

awareness to the issue of FGM and in sharing information and concerns.

In November 2008 the Community Education and Development Officer presented a paper to

the Refugee Primary Health Care Conference held in Brisbane entitled “Caring Nationally” titled

Cultural Practices – challenging, changing and celebrating”. She also represented NSW FGM

at the November State Coordinators meeting held following the Conference.

Finally the Director SWAHS AMH/Deputy Director DHI and the NSW FGM Team wishes to

thank members of the Advisory Group for their generosity of time and considerable expertise in

the oversight of the NSW Program during 2008 – 2009.

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Professional Education Report The professional education component of the program targets counselors, youth workers,

health services, relevant government and non-government education, welfare workers and

police. Training offered covers clinical case management and counseling responses to FGM in order to

equip workers to provide care in a sensitive non-judgmental manner to women and girls

affected by FGM. The professional education program was contracted to conduct two sessions on the counselling

and clinical training in Canberra ACT which proved to be very successful. Participants found

this provided them with knowledge and skills which they could apply in their workplace.

The presentation at Pymble Ladies College (PLC) on FGM as part of their “Women’s Across the

World” Day is now conducted each year with Year 10 students. Students express a great deal

of interest and pose many questions following the presentation.

A useful discussion with the Association of Independent Schools was held mid year – this

Association has a number of private religious schools as members and NSW FGM is hoping to

gain access to the schools through the Association.

Early discussions with FPA NSW have commenced to assess the ability of this key educational

organisation to include a component on FGM within its medical and nursing education

programs. Further discussion is to be held in the second half of 2009.

The following two tables indicate training undertaken in the current reporting time frame.

Non Clinical Training & Education

Location Training & education Number of participants Tresillian Penrith Counselling 13

Albion St City Counselling 5

FPA NSW Counselling 15 Canberra Counselling 12 Canterbury Community Health Centre Counselling 28

Liverpool Hospital Women’s Health 12 Warrimoo Hall (Blue Mountains)

Human Rights Public Forum 30

Pymble Ladies College General 142 Total 257

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Clinical Training & Education

Location Training & Education No participants Liverpool Hospital Clinical 14 Campbelltown Hospital Clinical 18 Blacktown Hospital Clinical 9 St George Hospital Clinical 45 Wollongong Hospital Clinical 12 Blacktown Hospital Clinical 30 Randwick RHW Clinical 9 Randwick RHW Clinical 6 Canberra Hospital Clinical 6 UTS Midwifery Graduates Clinical 62 Royal Prince Alfred Clinical 14 Total 225

The number of professional staff that attended the counsellor training from 1st July 2008 to the

30th June 2009 is about the same as last year. The concentration of training in the last twelve

months has been in the clinical area. This has increased from 5 clinical sessions with 89

participants in 2007-8 to 9 sessions with 225 participants in 2008-9. In addition, this year saw

the program conducting education with graduate/undergraduate midwifes in University

Technology in Sydney.

Evaluations from the Workshops.

The learning outcomes for the counsellor workshops are as follows:

• discuss the complex cultural issues surrounding FGM

• identify the impact of the beliefs around the practice of FGM

• identify common misbelieves and beliefs about the practice of FGM

• recognise issues experienced by women, girls, men and families affected by FGM that may lead them to present to a counsellor or other health professional

• recognise when it may be more appropriate to refer the client to another service/organisation

• demonstrate cultural competency when working with women, girls and families affected by FGM through the use of case studies

• identify different cultural issues counsellors need to consider when working with

clients/families affected by these practices through the use of case studies.

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Program evaluation found that ninety eight percent (98%) of participants found the training provided them with knowledge and skills that they could apply to their workplace, rating

the information between ‘very good’ and ‘excellent’.

The overall majority of the evaluations show that participants scored ‘excellent’ or ‘very good’

against the learning outcomes with no negative scores.

Listed below are some of the comments made by staff attending the training and how this

information would assist staff in their work practice:

• I have a greater understanding of FGM and would feel more confident if I needed to discuss this

issue with potential clients’

• Has increased my awareness of the practice and issues surrounding FGM will play a big role in

changes to my practice – particularly re confidence in raising the issue where appropriate.

• My cultural awareness/sensitivity will be enhanced by this workshop’s activities. Thank you for

clearing up a lot of myths surrounding this sensitive issue

• I thought I would be overwhelmed with this info today, but the presenters made it really easy to

understand and I felt comfortable. With our work with all women – in well women’s clinics, Health

Education at Technical College (English as second language) we come in contact with women from

high risk areas. We can provide support and education for team members

• This is a current issue we have limited experience. We will be providing the ACT Service re FGM

• This training has increased my cultural and ethnical sensitivity and how to broach subject in

diplomatic sensitive way. I will liaise with colleagues and recommend attendance at this training

• Working with young mother in school setting – there are many from African countries. It will help me

to approach this topic with clients. I will be giving a report to my colleagues of this in-service

• Working with female clients in casework counselling capacity from high practicing areas will be more

aware and feel more competent to respond appropriately

• To be more culturally sensitive when working with women affected by FGM. To be alert in knowing

the legislation and mandatory reporting of FGM in the community will enable me to approach girls

and women who may be affected with confidence and where to refer them to.

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Community Education and Development Report WHATINS Community Education Program The Women’s Health and Traditions in a New Society (WHATINS) program, is an 11 week

program that takes a holistic approach to women’s health. The program is very interactive and

uses Adult learning strategies that include working in groups, brainstorming, working in pairs

and open discussions. Topics include The NSW Health Services, Healthy eating, Learning

about our bodies, Taking care of our bodies, Cultural practices on women’s bodies, the NSW

legislation on FGM. Throughout the program relaxing exercises, physical exercises, positive

thinking, dealing with stress are included to promote general well being. Hand outs include the

NSW Refugees list of health services, information on healthy food and nutrition, how to have a

healthy bladder, pap smears, breast checks and many others.

10 Groups were facilitated by the program’s trained Bilingual Community Workers (BCWs)

between July 2008 to June 2009. The groups included Somali, Egyptian, Kurdish and Sierra

Leone women with a total of 60 attending.

Men’s Advisory Group Following the second Men’s Seminars on Women’s Health held in June 2008, ten men from

FGM practicing communities requested the formation of an Advisory Group to the Program. The

group met 6 times during the year and are assisting the program in translating some of the

programs handouts into their different languages as man of them are accredited NAATI

Translators and Interpreters. The main aim of the group was to act as advisors to the program

and to identify strategies and opportunities to reach a wider number of men in each community.

Two of the Sudanese men requested the program to participate and deliver information to the

Sudanese Community in Liverpool as they celebrated International Women’s Day in March 09.

Over 300 men and women attended.

In May 09 the advisory group requested that the Program run training on civil human rights

targeting community and religious leaders, as Human Rights and how FGM is a violation of a

Women’s rights and child protection laws were not fully understood by neither the communities

nor their leaders. The Training was held on Saturday 1st August with 13 men attending. The

information included What are Human Rights, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Civil and

Political Rights, Economic Social and Cultural Rights, International Bill of Human Rights, The

Human Rights framework, The Human Rights Conventions and Treaties, CRC some facts,

Convention of the Rights of the Child, Women’s Rights and Gender Equality, Convention on the

Elimination of All Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), Beijing Platform for Action and

many other issues around the United Nations system, FGM and Global Action to address FGM

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etc….. The day was full of a variety of activities and much debate and interaction was seen as

the men became involved in the discussions.

Handouts included articles on non government organizations, international organization and

local initiatives in many countries around the world to eliminate the practice.

Celebration of Culture – cultural days for women from FGM practicing communities

This initiative grew out of suggestions from community representatives with the intent of

celebrating what is good and strong in cultural practices, and speaking out against the practices

which adversely impact on the physical and mental health of girls and women and eventually on

families.

Over 350 women, who had no previous contact with the NSW FGM Program, from 7

communities, responded to the invitation from bi-lingual community workers to attend “A day of

celebration and commitment to change”.

The cultural days were held as follows: Egyptian Cultural Day, Kurdish Cultural Day, Sierra

Leone and Liberian Cultural day, Ethiopian and Eritrean Cultural Day and the Sudanese

Cultural Day.

Women examined the cultural practices across the globe which impact on women’s mental and

physical health, examined the teachings from two faith groups on the traditional practice of

FGM, the NSW Legislation against the practice and the NSW Education Program on FGM

program.

A case study was presented to the women with many learning of their responsibility and role in

making others aware of the harmful and dangerous practice.

Each program was interspersed with traditional sayings, cultural dance, song, literature and

poetry. A time was allocated for group work and looking at why FGM is practiced and how to

work together to protect young girls and to stop FGM from continuing to future generations. .

Many called for Australia to take an active role in passing its program to governments and

organizations working in their homelands. As a consequence women are eager to participate in

the NSW FGM prevention program – Women’s Health and Traditions in a New Society and

many have registered and attended since.

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Rural Outreach Service provider consultation and Settlement Data demonstrates that there are 107 females

resident in Wagga Wagga considered to come from communities that practice FGM and would

be at ‘high risk’ to the practice.

Other ‘health’ issues that impact on the communities include child health and immunization,

dental services, sexual and reproductive health and mental health including the impact of

torture and trauma. Subsequently NSW FGM developed a rural outreach strategy to present its

community development and education program to women of Sierra Leone, Sudan, Liberia,

Burundi and Congo backgrounds. Partnerships were developed with Wagga Wagga TAFE,

Multicultural Council Wagga Wagga, NSW Refugee Health, women’s health services and ethnic

community leaders.

Outcomes: Twenty three (23) women and 15 children attended the 5 ½ day program.

Five languages were spoken – Pigeon English from West Africa, Swahili, Ki Swahili, Dinka and

Sudanese Arabic.

Ten (10) women were able to respond to the written evaluation demonstrating that:

• 50% of women were unaware of the NSW Legislation on FGM

• 50% learnt new information on women’s sexual & reproductive health and how to access

services for preventative health checks ie: pap and breast checks

• 30% recommended the Program work with men from the communities on the issues of FGM

and the NSW Legislation and domestic violence

• 30% women noted they would increase exercise and/or change diets.

The remaining women provided verbal feedback on what they had learned including:

• their understanding and support of the NSW Legislation against FGM

• their role in informing other women in their communities

• the importance of reporting a child ‘at risk of FGM’ to NSW Police

• the harmful physical and emotional effect FGM has on women and girls

• improved communication skills and how to deal with stress

• changing diets to healthy cooking and to prevent obesity, diabetes and heart disease

• increased knowledge of women’s health service providers and need of regular screening

with breast checks and pap smears

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Media Strategy Community consultation provided information on the most effective method of reaching the

largest population of the target communities using this medium. Subsequently NSW FGM

developed radio messages in 3 community languages (Kurdish, Sierra Leonean (Krio),

Sudanese Arabic and Egyptian) which targeted families returning to their country of origin for

holidays. In the scenarios men and women discussed the holiday, returning to their homeland

and the NSW Legislation on FGM as it related to people performing or aiding or abetting FGM

on women or girls in or out of Australia.

This strategy is to be implemented just prior to and during all the major holiday periods for the

relevant communities in NSW over the next 12 months. Evaluation will be through a telephone

questionnaire conducted by the relevant BCE’s.

Sudanese Cultural Arts & Crafts

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In 2007 -8 NSW DOH introduced a % KPI measurement for NSW FGM on a number of Indictors which are printed in Blue in this Progress Report

NSW EDUCATION PROGRAM ON FGM ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT 2008 – JUNE 2009

OBJECTIVE /TARGET KPI’s (DOH) PROGRESS

Maintain NIL (0%) percentage of

women and girls from affected

communities who were born in

Australia have experienced FGM in

NSW

NIL (0%) percentage of women and girls from affected communities who were born in Australia have experienced FGM in NSW

ACHIEVED

Core business is undertaken and

outcomes recorded

Identified new initiatives are

implemented and outcomes reported

Reports published and distributed as

required

Program of work completed on time and with in budget July 2008 – June 2009

Completed on time and within allocated budget.

Cultural Days completed

Input into State Women’s Health Plan 2009-11

completed

Professional Education provided to ACT on cost

recovery basis.

All activity reports completed, distributed and

available on I’net

Implement a referral system with key

service providers for women who are

experiencing adverse health

outcomes FGM, including medical and

psycho – social outcomes.

Women who experience adverse health outcomes from FGM are able to access appropriate professional care.

Partnerships developed with 2 uro-gynaecologists

prepared to accept referrals through WH

nurses/GP for women.

Partnerships developed with two counselling

services prepared to accept referrals through WH

nurses/GP for women.

NSW EDUCATION PROGRAM ON FGM ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT 2008 – JUNE 2009

OBJECTIVE /TARGET KPI’s (DOH) PROGRESS

To implement the WHATINS

Community Education and

Development Program with women

who have not previously engaged with

NSW FGM

Percentage (%) change in the number of community members involved in information, education and/or community development sessions on FGM (WHATINS) and number of sessions conducted between 2007- 08 and 2008-09

A number of factors led to the decrease in numbers

of WHATINS Programs being held in this current

period owing to the following:

• 3 BCWs unable to hold program

• Prolonged sick leave of the Community

Education Development Officer

• In an average year FGM reaches many women

who feed into the program through Zero

Tolerance Day – this event did not occur in Feb

2008 as the timing of Zero Tolerance

conflicted with the DHI Conference

Therefore % change of women involved in the

WHATINS Program was 63.85% (60) of 2007-2008

financial years (ie166).

To increase the knowledge and

understanding of women and other

community member’s knowledge on

FGM, its impacts on a woman’s

physical and psyco-social health and

the NSW Legislation on the practice of

FGM

To demonstrate that 85% of women and other community members increased their knowledge on FGM, its impacts on a woman’s physical and psyco-social health and the NSW

Legislation on the practice of FGM.

650 women and men increased their knowledge

on FGM its impacts on a woman’s physical and

psyco-social health and the NSW Legislation on

the practice of FGM through attendance at the

Inaugural Program of Cultural Days and the

Inaugural presentation at the Sudanese

Celebration of International Women’s Day.

NSW EDUCATION PROGRAM ON FGM ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT 2008 – JUNE 2009

OBJECTIVE /TARGET KPI’s (DOH) PROGRESS

Consolidate Men’s Advisory Group

Men’s Advisory Group meeting consistently bi-monthly.

Approximately 10 men from 4-6 cultural

backgrounds attend bi-monthly meetings and are

active in ‘opening doors’ for the program to

communities.

PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION To have successfully established

and implemented a psychosocial

and clinical management training

program for health and non-health

professionals which enables them

to respond appropriately to the

needs of women, girls and families

affected by FGM

Percentage (%) change in the number of health professionals who receive education and training in issues of FGM between 2007- 08 and 2008-09

Percentage (%) change in the number of other workers who receive education and training in issues of FGM between 2007- 08 and 2008-09

To demonstrate that 85% of health professionals and other allied health workers who attended education programs indicated an increase in knowledge and skills which were applicable in their workplace.

2007-8 98 cl 2008-9 225 Cl 2007-8 91 non cl 240 students non cl 115 142 students

98% of participants indicated an increase in

knowledge and skills which were applicable in their

workplaces.