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“You need all the skills from different angles” – How mathematical data can support FGM survivors 

By Kayla Sibanda

Charlotte Norridge is a PhD student at the University of Birmingham. Her work focuses on initiatives to improve current intervention strategies to prevent Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). 

In 1985, FGM was outlawed by the UK Government under the Prohibition of Female Circumcision Act. Further advancements include the Female Genital Mutilation Act of 2003, which increased the maximum prison sentence to 14 years, as well as making it illegal for individuals to arrange FGM appointments outside. 

We can even take a closer look at the progress made in Nottingham. In 2016 Notttingham became the first city in the UK to declare a zero-tolerance stance towards FGM. Such pivotal moments of progress have done work to support survivors of the harmful practice. 

Nevertheless, there is still much more work to be done. Tackling FGM effectively means handling an intricate set of cultural and societal factors. Therefore, FGM advocacy work means bringing expertise from every one of those angles. This is why Charlotte Norridge’s work is undeniably important for supporting women and girls. 

Norridge’s work is within the Maths department. This may seem unlikely for the work of gender-based violence efforts but the most important part of advocacy work is including different disciplines. Speaking with Charlotte, I had the chance to learn more about the work she, and the rest of her team are undertaking. 

Charlotte is currently 2 years into her PhD (expected to finish in 2028) and, in that time, she has been working towards developing methodology to better understand the prevalence of FGM. 

The current model used to support FGM survivors (and predicted cases of FGM) often assumes that all participants experience the same level of risk. Charlotte has not only acknowledged this but has developed a new way to confront this problem.  

The work she undergoes can be explained by an approach known as a ‘comparative judgement.’ This means that comparisons are conducted and facilitated by former expertise. Experts can look at cases in tandem and decide which of them appears to show greater risk or a stronger need for support. Charlotte’s method also clusters participants into groups; this helps reveal when different groups are being interpreted differently rather than assuming everyone fits into one uniform category. 

Charlotte’s work exists in conjunction with the work of charities and other organisations. Her work closely aligns with the ongoing efforts of various stakeholders and international charities, expanding from South East Asian and Central America whom she has collaborated with providing research and expertise information. 

“You need all the skills coming from the different angles” 

This method is particularly designed to address the issue where crimes related to FGM are significantly under-reported and the data – due to its level of sensitivity – is often unable to be shared. This allows experts to have a developed understanding of instances of FGM related crime to improve provisions in place, such as interventions that may be conducted by the police. For instance, her data has been used by the West Midlands Police within the Public Protection Unit (PPU). 

“You need all the skills coming from the different angles,” Charlotte explains and she reflects on the work her team experience, drawing together statisticians, campaigners as well as people with a lived experience. For Charlotte, “collaboration is the most important thing.” 

Another fellow PhD student in the team, originally from a biology background, works on what is known as ‘multiple systems estimation’ – comparing the lists of victims held by different organisations to see how many individuals appear across more than one list. 

Perhaps one of the most distinctive parts of Charlotte’s work is the sheer divide: the day to day experience of handling data and maths compared to the sensitive handling of real-life stories. As she addresses this divide, Charlotte notes how she can feel “quite detached from being on the ground.” However, there are instances where she is able to hear those meaningful stories first hand. 

“I don’t think it will ever stop shocking me when I hear these stories” 

In (date) had the chance to work with Karma Nirvana, a Yorkshire-based charity that works closely with instances of VAWG, namely instances of honor based abuse. The event contained an array of individuals, including survivors of FGM who bravely shared their stories. Reflecting on the opportunity to meet survivors she notes, “I don’t think it will ever stop shocking me when I hear these stories.” She continues, “but it’s really important. It’s the thing that motivates our research.” 

Overall, Charlotte speaks with a level of deep honesty about the work she is conducting with the University of Birmingham. Her research is already an important step forward in developing a more accurate methodology for understanding FGM risks and the current intervention strategies.