On 22 July 2014, the UK hosted the first Girl Summit, aimed at mobilising domestic and international efforts to end female genital mutilation (FGM) and child, early and forced marriage (CEFM) within a generation. UNICEF co-hosted the event.

Walworth Academy hosted the UK Government and UNICEF’s first ever Girl Summit intended to highlight the commitment to ending FGM and CEFM within a generation.

UNICEF has estimated that at least 125 million women and girls around the world have been subjected to FGM, the “partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons”

The Girl Summit – the first of its kind and attended by representatives of governments, grass-roots organizations, campaigners and survivors from around the world — aiming to change people’s ways of thinking. Speakers at the summit included Prime Minister David Cameron, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, Home Secretary Theresa May and International Development Secretary Justine Greening.

Prime Minister David Cameron announced new UK government measures to tackle the problem, a day after a major study revealed that an estimated 137,000 women are affected or at risk of FGM in England and Wales.

A pre-summit reception, hosted in a prestigious central London venue for over 400 key delegates attending the Girl Summit from around the world kicked off the event. This evening reception was also produced and delivered by RTS.

Event Management Services provided by RTS

RTS provided comprehensive event management services for this international summit from concept to completion. From the initial project brief, RTS worked closely with the DFID Girl Summit team to deliver a summit that surpassed their expectations.

  • Secure online delegate registration, badging and delegate pack provision
  • Translation of multiple languages offered to over 800 delegates in the main auditorium
  • Catering for all delegates, staff and press
  • Full audio and visual production in the main auditorium including branded backdrop, staging, branded stage furniture, comfort monitors, speech timers, radio microphones and presentation / video playback.
  • Audio and Video distribution and live relay of main auditorium to rooms around the venue and public areas.
  • Live show direction incorporating 4 manned HD-SDI cameras, video playback and speakers’ presentations
  • Live broadcast feeds to international broadcasters including their native languages via our fully equipped media room
  • Live satellite up-links to BT Tower and out to international broadcasters on demand
  • Live web stream with VOD (Video on demand) services
  • Digital signage over the venue’s own IP network to projectors and screens around the venue in VIP, media and public areas
  • Multi-point video conferencing to DFID offices worldwide
  • Multiple breakout rooms with branded set and staging, broadcast audio, video, lighting and recording equipment, translation services, all operated by RTS technicians
  • Venue liaison
  • Security services
  • Event wide staff, security and client radio communications

A DFID spokesperson said after the event, ” The team at RTS are always great to work with. They not only know their stuff but they are the most helpful and enthusiastic people you will find in the business. Always up to meet a challenge and very responsive and able to adapt to ever-changing last minute requirements.”