‘We must work to end FGM’

MINA Nakai, who is PHD student at the University of London, is currently undertaking a research on female genital mutilation (FGM) and has been interviewing members of the Somali community.

Mohammed Wadi, of SASCA News, had the chance to meet with Mina and interview her about her project.

SASCA: Could you please give more information about your background?

Mina: I’m originally from Japan, and I came to Manchester, the UK over 10 years ago for my education and I am currently undertaking a PhD degree in Royal Holloway, the University of London.

SASCA: I understand that you are doing a research about female genital mutilation. What is female genital mutilation, can you explain little bit about this and did you start this research?

Mina: FGM is currently practiced in 28 countries across the world, such as Africa, Middle East and Asian countries, but it is also practised in some communities in European countries including in the UK, North America and Australia. More than 200 million girls and women are living with the consequences of FGM around the world.

The first time I heard about FGM was when I was an undergraduate student during my lectures in Japan and at the same time I met a Somali lady who came to Japan as a refugee, who told me stories about FGM. After I gathered information about FGM, I had a strong passion to act to change the situation; that’s why I decided to research about this as my topic for my PhD research.

SASCA: You have interviewing members