Pictured: Hibo Wardere, with Whipps Cross healthcare professionals
Ending FGM, one workshop at a time
About Educate Not Mutilate
Educate Not Mutilate (ENM) is committed to ending Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) through the power of education, advocacy, and survivor-led training. Our mission is clear: to help prevent new cases of FGM in the UK and to uplift the health and wellbeing of women affected by this harmful practice.
Since we began, we’ve reached thousands individuals through our engaging and impactful training sessions, which have educated secondary school students, healthcare professionals, and community leaders. Our unique approach, driven by personal testimony and community engagement, equips people with the knowledge and confidence to challenge and stop FGM.
Our vital work involves:
- Empowering Young People: We provide educational workshops that give young people aged 11-18 the tools to speak out against FGM confidently.
- Supporting Survivors: We train healthcare professionals, including midwives, to identify and support FGM survivors, ensuring they receive the crucial care they need.
- Strengthening Systems: We work alongside schools, hospitals, local authorities, and safeguarding professionals to influence policies and practices.
- Breaking the Silence: We raise public awareness and encourage open dialogue to challenge the existence of FGM.
Our workshops cover a range of critical topics, including:
- Understanding FGM: Comprehensive information about the different types of FGM, its prevalence, and its consequences.
- Legal and Ethical Considerations: An overview of the legal framework surrounding FGM in the UK and the responsibilities of professionals
- Identifying FGM: Practical guidance on how to identify signs of FGM in students and how to approach the subject sensitively.
- Providing Support: Techniques for providing compassionate and appropriate support women and girls affected by FGM, including safeguarding
- Cultural awareness: Insights into the contexts in which FGM occurs, promoting sensitivity and understanding to ensure respectful and effective communication and intervention.
Our work in healthcare
Our survivor-led workshops are designed to equip healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively identify and support women affected by FGM.
Why Focus on Healthcare?
Healthcare professionals are often the first point of contact for women and girls affected by FGM. It is crucial that these professionals are well-informed and confident in their ability to provide appropriate care and support, ensuring that women with FGM can have births that are as safety assured as those for women without FGM.
Our work in schools
Our secondary school workshops are designed to equip teachers and students with the knowledge and skills needed to prevent FGM and provide appropriate safeguarding.
Why Focus on Schools?
Schools play a crucial role in shaping young minds and creating a safe environment for students. Educating teachers and students about FGM is essential in preventing this harmful practice and supporting those at risk.
Our ongoing commitment
With each workshop, we aim to foster a more informed and empathetic community. By enhancing the knowledge and skills of healthcare professionals, teachers, and students, we are making significant strides towards our ultimate goal: eradicating Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) within our lifetime.
Here’s what people are saying about our impactful workshops:
Our workshops have been described as the best FGM training ever attended by healthcare professionals who leave our sessions feeling equipped and inspired to integrate their newfound knowledge into their clinical practice, ensuring better care for women affected by FGM.
“Amazing, very informative and very good. Best FGM training I have had by far.”
Teachers express a newfound confidence in addressing FGM within their school communities. They appreciate the clarity and depth of our sessions, which make a challenging topic accessible and engaging.
“Hibo was amazing. Her lived experiences and clear explanations ensured the session objectives were effectively met.”
Secondary School Students: Students find our workshops eye-opening and empowering. For many, it's their first time learning about FGM, and they leave motivated to raise awareness and support those affected.
“Really good and insightful lesson, learnt a lot. Hibo really has a lot of knowledge.”
Hibo Wardere (left) and Faiza Mughal (right)
Hibo Wardere – Education Lead
Hibo is one of the UK's most influential voices against FGM. After moving to London as a teenager from Somalia, Hibo has dedicated her life to advocacy and education. As an author, speaker, and survivor, her personal story brings authenticity and urgency to our training sessions, making them profoundly impactful.
Faiza Mughal – Trustee
Faiza is a committed community volunteer and activist. Her focus on improving health and economic outcomes for marginalized groups drives her work at ENM, where she ensures our programs run smoothly and effectively.
Terri Murray (left) and Kirsty Lowe (right)
Terri Murray – Trustee
Terri, is an educator and author, brings a wealth of knowledge from her role as Director of Studies at Fine Arts College Hampstead. Also a founding member of The Vavengers, Terri’s insights into education and social justice shape our programs and initiatives.
Kirsty Lowe – Chair of Trustees
Kirsty is a seasoned leader in the not-for-profit sector and a passionate advocate for women's rights. Her experience in community-led transformation and her dedication to our cause help steer ENM’s strategic direction and growth.
Contact Us
If you'd like to know more or book a workshop, please contact:
