Challenging subject for student film
A FILM made by a group of Bristol school students to highlight an illegal practice that affects hundreds of girls in the UK has its premiere tonight.
The 12-minute drama drama-documentary, called Silent Scream, aims to raise awareness of female genital mutilation (FGM) and the myths surrounding the subject.
It has been made by 27 Bristol students – 24 from the City Academy, two from Colston's Girls' School and one from St Brendan's – all aged between 14 and 17.
The film will be screened at Bristol's Watershed. Following its launch the students will receive an award from Avon and Somerset Chief Constable Colin Port.
The students are urging the Government to take action to ensure all schools teach students FGM awareness so the subject remains in the open.
The film is aimed at persuading local communities that FGM must stop by highlighting the physical and emotional pain endured by young women who experience the procedure. As well as the extreme pain for victims, complications can lead to infection, kidney failure, sterility and even death.
Exact figures as to how many women are affected by FGM in the UK are difficult to obtain because of the secrecy shrouding the subject. According to the Home Office more than 20,000 girls under the age of 15 are at risk of FGM in the UK. An estimated 100 to 140 million girls and women worldwide are living with the consequences of FGM, according to the World Health Organisation.
FGM is carried out for religious and cultural reasons but, as the film reveals, the reasons are based on misconceptions.
The idea for making the film came from the students after a radio documentary drama about FGM called Why? which they made last year was featured on Woman's Hour on BBC Radio 4. One of the students, who wants to remain anonymous, said: "I hope the project will educate people from all communities about the devastating effects of FGM. I hope it will bring this horrendous act to an end and prevent girls being subjected to this evil and cruel procedure."
City Academy principal, Gill Kelly, praised the courage of the young women who have taken part in this project: "The more young people from all nationalities discuss this issue, the greater the likelihood of the practice ceasing. I am proud of what these young people have achieved."
The project started in January, with the girls working after school, at weekends and holidays.
4 Comments
by bobob3
Thursday, June 30 2011, 5:28PM
“Lets hope there will be a follow up on the despicable practise of male genital mutilation as well.
I have always been amazed that the victims of parents who have their babies mutilated by the NHS , often in the name of the super natural, do not sue.”
by Tegu_lady
Thursday, June 30 2011, 4:59PM
“Well said arealbristol!”
by arealbristol
Thursday, June 30 2011, 3:13PM
“I'm pleased that these girls are tackling this issue head on. Our adult feminists are too busy complaining about a restaurant where girls wear hotpants rather than help tackle an issue where girls including some from Bristol are maimed.”
by CherryCupCake
Thursday, June 30 2011, 2:10PM
“I am so glad that someone out there is trying to bring this issue to people's attention. I have mentioned this procedure to people in the past who have had no idea about it, and they are always shocked and appalled. I watched a documentary about it many years ago and I was very distressed just watching; I dread to think what these poor young girls are going through.
Then there's the trouble that these women face later on in life. Many marry men who will refuse for them to have any kind of corrective surgery before having intercourse for the first time as they believe it is the man's job to....well on the face of it, to torture their new bride.
The animals who do this need to be stopped”