Comfort Momoh has dedicated her professional life to helping survivors of FGM and works tirelessly to eradicate the practice.

An FGM public health specialist at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust in London, and a visiting lecturer at a number of prominent institutions, including King’s College London, her expertise is world renowned. She has been invited to speak at the first US summit on FGM in Washington DC in December, and at the 31st ICM Triennial Congress in Canada next year.

Comfort has advised London councils, government departments and the WHO on FGM issues, and travels extensively in African countries to raise awareness. In 2008, she received an MBE for services to women’s health.

A pioneer in her field, she founded the first African Well Woman’s Clinic at St Thomas’ Hospital back in 1997, dedicated to caring for women affected by FGM.

‘I started many years ago when people didn’t even want to talk about it,’ she says. ‘Now the work we have done, and others too, has brought it to the forefront, and made it a safe environment for survivors to come out and talk about their own experiences, and that’s very powerful.’

Training midwives and other healthcare professionals, mentoring students and colleagues are all part of her work, which she happily admits goes way beyond the nine to five. ‘I don’t mind that – this is my passion,’ she adds.

‘It’s very important that as health professionals, we know our roles and responsibilities in terms of safeguarding girls and women who might be at risk.

‘For me, it’s about impacting communities, reaching out to them, changing attitudes and mindsets, which you can’t do overnight. But I would like to see FGM end in one generation if possible.’

She says she hopes the RCM fellowship will help her advocate for women and girls, and ‘give a voice to the voiceless’.

Contact details: drcomfortmomoh@gmail.com