This is a posthumous example that demonstrates change can be generated simply by sharing experience – something we all have in common. Sadly the activist Leticia is no longer with us but her contributions live on.
Leticia was a member of the Elders Council of Bradford and the group were asked if any of their members had views regarding Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). Leticia had been a midwife in Nigeria and had seen first hand the impact of this practice. Even though she was approaching 90 years old and despite mobility issues Leticia attended meetings and forcefully put forward her real life experience. The strength of feeling against the practice led to a coming together of Police, Bradford Council, Bradford College and a range of voluntary groups. Their efforts were highlighted by a multi organisational event held in Bradford City Hall where all organisations signed a pledge as part of United Nations’ International Day of Zero Tolerance for female genital mutilation.
FGM is a practice which is a crime in the UK. Despite this there were a growing number of instances of young girls being subjected to FGM in the Bradford area. This initiative hit a chord at the right time. The real life experience of activists such as Leticia were powerful examples as to why the practice should not be tolerated. Their input made it ‘real’ and brought home the long term impact to health and wellbeing.
The meetings and the event raised awareness of the issue and the impact on the individual to this practice but there was no plan in place to carry the work forward. The strength in the event was the testimony of those exposed to the practice, as time goes by these voices start to disappear – this was not recognised.
