Information for consumers, carers and community
Community Education Program
The NSW Education Program on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Community Education Program works directly with communities resident in NSW, who have come from countries where FGM is practiced.
The main community education strategy is the women’s health program: Women’s Health And Traditions In a New Society (WHATINS). This is an 11-session education program conducted by bi-lingual community workers (BCW) with women in the target communities. WHATINS aims to explore women’s health issues, including the health aspects of FGM and the NSW law on FGM. The WHATINS program provides a safe and comfortable environment in which women can confront their own experiences with the practice.
All strategies are based on the core values of respecting and valuing culture whilst emphasising the harmful nature of the practice to the health and well-being of the women and children affected.
The strategies recognise the knowledge base of members of the communities and tap into their existing knowledge and capacities to expand the scope of the program. Individual cultural contexts are explored towards working in a culturally competent manner.
For more information
For more information about our Community Education Program