In 2009, four teenage girls began writing anonymous poetry about female genital mutilation (FGM). At the time, even speaking about the issue was considered taboo. Despite disapproval from some peers, the group grew to twelve. Wanting to reach a wider audience while remaining anonymous, they secured a small pot of funding and created a radio drama called Why?, which aired on Woman’s Hour and BBC World Service. The backlash was strong, including criticism from members of the wider community. Still, the group pressed on, determined to make their first video and share their message more widely.
Over seven months, the girls developed the story and script for Silent Scream, a drama-documentary challenging FGM. Written, directed and performed by a now 27-strong group of teenage activists, the film won the Young Voices 2012 award at the First Light Movies ceremony at BFI Southbank. It was also mentioned in the House of Lords and shown at events across the UK and abroad. The premiere at Bristol’s Watershed Media Centre included a Special Commendation from Avon and Somerset Police.
TV personality Alesha Dixon joined the girls on set and attended the premiere, offering her support. One of the mentors, Oliver Zimmerman of Zed Productions, said:“The courage and dignity of the teenagers involved in this film can’t be overstated. They face fierce opposition from some members of their own communities. Yet they are utterly determined to speak out, take action and resist the pressures put on them to keep FGM hidden.”
The film helped other young women feel able to speak more openly. The group grew further and began forming links with organisations and women from affected communities. At the time, Integrate was known as Integrate Bristol, and workshops were held at City Academy Bristol, where the young people learned how to write, direct, shoot and edit their own film. Principal Gill Kelly said:
We are incredibly proud of all of the girls who take part. They show great strength in their dedication to their work. Congratulations to them all.
Silent Scream, funded by the Big Lottery, was embedded on the website of Somali model and anti-FGM campaigner Waris Dirie. It sparked national conversation and laid the groundwork for a wider movement.
Impact and Transformation
The work started by the young activists at Integrate UK in its early years directly contributed to key changes in the Serious Crime Act 2015, which introduced FGM Protection Orders and made it a legal requirement for professionals to report known cases. These changes strengthened safeguarding and sent a clear message: FGM has no place in the UK or anywhere else in the world. More importantly, this project shaped the foundation of Integrate UK’s current youth-led model. The ideas and conversations that led to Silent Scream continue to drive our work today. Many of the original contributors have gone on to mentor others, and the conversations started then still inform the way we work now.
The ideas and conversations that led to Silent Scream continue to drive our work today.
We now deliver regular workshops in schools and communities, where young people create short films, music videos and other digital content such as podcasts etc to challenge harmful practices and attitudes. These resources continue to raise awareness, shift public understanding and influence policy. Silent Scream was not just a film, it was the beginning of a long-term strategy to empower young people to lead change. It remains a powerful example of how creative youth-led activism can drive lasting impact.
