Female genital mutilation (FGM) affects more than 200 million women and girls around the world. It has zero health benefits and often results in lifelong health problems, increased risks during childbirth, psychological trauma, and even death. It is a sensitive issue involving a mixture of cultural, social and religious traditions which can make it quite difficult to talk about. Judith Ormrod, a lecturer in the Division of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, found that nurses and midwives didn’t know how to ask their patients about FGM.

She has produced an animation about FGM, ‘It’s Your Job To Ask’ which illustrates the importance of understanding FGM and gives clear instructions on how to broach the difficult conversation of FGM with patients.

Judith has been awarded the Mary Seacole Award for this animation, which funds projects that aim to improve the health outcomes of people from black and minority ethnic communities. Most instances of FGM occur in Africa, Asia and the Middle East but it is also practiced behind closed doors in the UK, so it is incredibly important for our nurses to be able to talk about it; a conversation made easier with the help of Judith’s animation.

You can watch the animation here.