Earlier this week, we organised a fundraising screening of Guardian Films' Abandon the Knife for Extra members.
Directed by Sara Nason, the 30-minute documentary tells the story of two young Kenyan women, Nancy and Gertrude. They are members of the Pokot community and both of them stood up to family and community to resist the traditional practice of female genital mutilation or cutting (FGM). The film looks at how their actions influenced other young women and their families, changing minds and attitudes about FGM.
Half the ticket proceeds on the night have been donated to a trust that will fund an education for Nancy and Gertrude. With the money donated during a whip round, we raised almost £600.
On the night, we also screened a film about FGM in the UK - approximately 500 young British girls are circumcised here or abroad each year. According to some people working to stop the practice, the UK is viewed as the FGM capital of Europe.
For more information, go to:
Foreign & Commonwealth Office Information:
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/when-things-go-wrong/fgm/
If you want to raise awareness of FGM in the UK, contact:
Theresa May, The Home Secretary and Minister for Women and Equalities
mayt@parliament.uk
Lynne Featherstone, Under Secretary of State and Minister for Equalities
featherstonel@parliament.uk
To find out more about Nancy and Gertrude, go to:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_147842591949785
To keep in touch with Guardian Films and their work go to:
guardian.co.uk/news/guardianfilms
Twitter: @guardianfilms
Facebook: /guardianfilms
