Collaborating with 15 young  Cardiff teenagers, produced in conjunction between NTW Team and BAWSO. Myself and Dan Ruffstylz have been working to develop a performance that addresses the issue of Female Genital Mutilation. The performance will be held as part of a conference about FGM and arranged marriages that will be held at the Butetown Pavillion on Friday 6th February. (I'll keep you posted with dates and times).

So far we have discussed and debated the issue and the consequence, written lyrics and rapped as part of a human orchestra, proposed a new future without FGM and created scenes of power and leadership. We have developed three characters the survivor, the believer and the activist and devised the traits and belief systems we imagine them to have looking at what they fear, what they hope and what we believe society might think of them.

Why is addressing the issue of FGM important to young people in Cardiff?

More than 600 women are survivors of FGM in Cardiff. Although FGM has been a criminal offence in the UK since 1985, no-one in the UK has yet been prosecuted.

• We want people to understand the meaning of FGM (especially the young girls)
• We want to empower others to talk about it
• We want young people to notice the issue so that something can be done about it.
• we want to raise awareness so that something can be done about it

Mikah 17 years old

By doing this project and raising awareness we will be speaking on behalf of those who feel afraid to speak out.

Joyce, 14 years old

I think this project is important because people need to be educated and informed about the issue and people need to speak out if they know anyone going through it so that the practice can be eliminated.

Eunice, 15 years old

I think this is important because we are providing a platform (drama based) to raise awareness of FGM which is a very sensitive social problem which affects many young people. It isn't made aware of because people don't think that it is a big problem in the UK.

and in their own rhymes…….

Joyce - 14 years old

> It's a medical issue/Maybe it might miss you
> Yeah it's big news can make you reach for the tissue
> Concerned about drug misuse but neglected a form of child abuse
> No need to look so confused
> Let's become stronger/Positive action
> Instead of wasting time with a useless distraction
> We need to change the law to stop this issue from happening even more
> Put to rest what has happened before/Time for us to rise after a fall
> People not willing to accept it's wrong/Maybe because it's been happening for long
> That's why we need to be strong and put it in the past/That's where it belongs
> By using things like art and making up sculptures
> We can start playing our part in changing the culture
> Like an animal of prey preying on its victims
> Moved not by knowledge but moved by instinct
> It's an issue that leads to psychological problems
> But it's hard to find the resources needed to solve them

Sarah - 15 years old

> We need to raise awareness/Children are treated without fairness
> Change the law so we can live with one less flaw
> People quote human rights but are not carried out quite right
> Together we need to create positive action
> In order to reach a level of satisfaction
> Know your rights/Don't go down without a fight
> Girls' problems are identical but in fact are also medical
> Psychological problems can happen but this is not the only reaction

> Muna
>
> I see through the coded language and the anguish
> The pain is banished and no longer famished
> We ask for protection law that can open a door
> Make us forget what we saw and imagine more
> I think of different names that make me feel shame
> Can't share but time helps me not care
> I'm raising awareness for what's fairest
> What's in my heart makes me want to share this
> Let's fight for our human rights that help us see the light