QMU alumni awarded MBE for
services to migrant women
A
N ALUMNI OF Queen Margaret
University (QMU), Edinburgh, has
been awarded a Member of the
Order of the British Empire (MBE) for
services to migrant women.
Gambian-born Fatou Baledh, who studied
an MSc in Sexual and Reproductive Health
at QMU, is one of Scotland’s most well-
known and knowledgeable female genital
mutilation (FGM) activists. Fatou was forced
to have the procedure herself at the age of
seven in her home country.
As a long-standing campaigner against
FGM in Scotland, and having researched
NHS Scotland obstetric care for women who
have experienced FGM, she has worked on
FGM in Gambia and is a change-maker
within her community.
She is a women’s rights advocate and
founder of Women in Liberation and
Leadership (WILL) – a non-profit organisation
with experience addressing violence against
women and girls, sexual and reproductive
health and rights, psychosocial support,
gender justice, advocacy, research and
implementation in Gambia.
Fatou also serves as a Trustee with the
Dignity Alert and Research Forum (DARF)
in Edinburgh, which works to uphold the
dignity and human rights of African women,
children and young people.
LGB cancer
patients’
care to be
investigated
T
HE SPECIFIC NEEDS of lesbian,
gay and bisexual (LGB) people
who have experienced cancer is
to be the focus of a new national study
in Scotland.
Currently, information about the sexual
orientation of patients who have undergone
cancer treatment is not captured by the
NHS. This study will be the first research
project in Scotland to look at the experience
of LGB people who have received treatment
for cancer. The aim is to better understand
the experiences that LGB people have had
during their cancer care journey and to
Fatou said: “Studying an MSc at QMU
challenged me to look at the socio-cultural
issues that affect the sexual and reproductive
health and rights of women around the world.
establish if services need to be adapted to
meet LGB patient care needs.
Gareth Hill, Head of Therapeutic
Radiography at Ninewells Hospital, Dundee
is conducting this research as part of his PhD
at Queen Margaret University. He is looking
for 12 people over the age of 18, who have
undergone cancer treatment in the last 10
years in Scotland, to participate in the study.
He explained: “Statistic show that LGB
people are more likely to experience
isolation and mental health problems than
heterosexuals, so LGB individuals may have
care and support needs that are not being
met by our current service provision.
“We want to encourage people to reflect
on their experience of cancer treatment. We
need to treat people as individuals so that
we can truly develop services that focus on
person-centred care rather than a ‘one size
fits all’ approach.”
He continued: “Homosexual acts were only
decriminalised in Scotland in 1980 and same
sex marriage was just legalised in 2014.
Therefore, many LGB people will have spent
large proportions of their lives not being open
about their sexuality. Over the last decade,
In doing so, it gave me the lenses to look
deep within my culture including a practice
that was entrenched in my beliefs from a very
young age as a religious obligation that was
necessary for girls to undergo FGM.”
“I am pleased that the work I have been
doing has been recognised and I feel very
honoured about the MBE award.
"This means so much for all survivors of
FGM and it’s very encouraging for activist
who are involved in fighting against sexual
and gender-based violence.”
Oonagh O’Brien, Lecturer at the Institute
of Global Health and Development (IGHD)
at QMU, said how proud all the staff at the
Institute are of Fatou’s work.
“Her dissertation on obstetric care
in Scotland and FGM made a strong
contribution, along with other activists, to
the development of a Scottish Action Plan
to prevent and eradicate female genital
mutilation (FGM), and changes in the law
which have brought Scotland into line with
the rest of the UK on protecting young girls
from FGM being carried out," said Oonagh.
“Fatou’s own personal commitment to
the issue resulted in her giving enormous
amounts of personal time and attention to
affected women and families, and this MBE
is very well deserved.” ❒
there has been a massive cultural shift, but
there are still people who struggle to discuss
their sexuality and its impact on different
aspects of their lives. We need to be mindful
of people’s individual circumstances relating
to possible lack of family support, loneliness,
isolation and other health issues.”
Gareth has been delighted by the
enthusiastic reception his study has received
from health professionals and different
organisations. He explained: “It is NHS
policy in Scotland to deliver person-centred
care. If LGB people’s sexual orientation is an
important part of the cancer care experience,
we need to understand their values, beliefs
and culture to better support individuals
through the process.”
This study has been made possible
by a grant of £25k from the College
of Radiographers Research Industry
Partnership Scheme (CoRRIPS). Gareth
was successful in securing one of only
two doctorial fellowships provided by the
CoRRIPS each year.
To find out more about the study contact
Gareth Hill at [email protected]. ❒
QMYOU / Health & Rehabilitation
17