This is an issue very close to my heart. My mother has been a campaigner against FGM all my life, I've been to more conferences and campaigning events than I can count. I have discussed the issue at length with Mum and bored friends and I even write a chapter of my graduate dissertation on the topic.
Every time there is an article in the press about FGM being carried out on young British girls in the UK and abroad, my heart sinks and my stomach churns. Despite all the legislation the deeper social and cultural changes that must be made to make this horrible practice socially unpalatable seem to be impossible.
But what we can offer is counselling and training of medical professionals and that is certainly no small beer. In time we can only hope that this, coupled with legislation and the educational work taken on by FORWARD UK and other anti FGM charities will prevent seven and eight year old young girls being taken on much longed for summer holidays that they will never, ever be able to forget.
Two women I greatly respect and admire for their work in the field; Comfort Momoh and Naana Otoo-Oyortey amongst others speak here in this article about the work that they do.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2010/jul/25/female-circumcision-children-british-law
Please donate to anti FGM charity FORWARD UK http://www.forwarduk.org.uk/
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