Webwatch: Petals – New FGM App from Coventry University
By Webwatch, , ,

Researchers at Coventry University have created a new App, endorsed by the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, to help protect young girls and women from female genital mutilation.

The App, which works across most mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets and lap tops via an internet browser, is aimed primarily at young girls living in affected communities and at risk from Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). It can also be used as an educational tool to teach young people and others the facts and realities of FGM. The App avoids using photographs, diagrams and medical language to make it accessible to young people.

The App will be useful for various groups of people, including:

  •     Young women and young men who think their sisters or cousins may be at risk
  •     Young women and young men who think friends may be at risk
  •     Women who have undergone FGM themselves
  •     Anyone else who has an interest in FGM

This App informs young people about FGM known in some communities as:

  •     female circumcision
  •     female genital cutting
  •     ‘cutting’
  •     ‘sunna’
  •     ‘khitan’

Resources include:

  •     The facts about FGM including what it is, effects on health, why it’s practised, the law, what the UK Government is doing
  •     Views about FGM from girls, young women, men, religious leaders, FGM survivors, organisations
  •     Take action – what you can do to end FGM and situations you may come across
  •     Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section including ‘what would happen if…?’,
  •     Glossary which gives explanations for some of the words used in this app

Visit the resource here: http://petals.coventry.ac.uk/