Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
Soroptimists across Yorkshire raise awareness of issues which violate the rights of women and children. Such harmful practices include Female Genital Mutilation and Forced Child Marriage.
What is FGM?
Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a procedure where the female genitals are deliberately cut, injured or changed, but there is no medical reason for this to be done.
It is illegal in the UK and is child abuse.
FGM is usually carried out on young girls between infancy and the age of 15, although most commonly girls are cut before puberty which is about the age of 11.
It is very painful and can seriously harm the health of women and girls. It can also cause long-term problems with sex, childbirth and mental health.
Girls are sometimes taken abroad for FGM, but they may not be aware this is the reason for their travel. They are more at risk of FGM being carried out during the summer holidays, as this allows more time for them to “heal” before they return to school.
- 137,000 women and girls are living with the consequences of FGM in the UK.
- 200 million women and girls worldwide have undergone FGM
For more information click on the links below.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/female-genital-mutilation-fgm/
This page includes two videos. The first includes advice about what to do if you are concerned that someone may be the victim of Female Genital Mutilation. In the second women who have suffered Female Genital Mutilation describe their experiences.
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/female-genital-mutilation
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-is-child-abuse/types-of-abuse/female-genital-mutilation-fgm/
https://www.forwarduk.org.uk/violence-against-women-and-girls/female-genital-mutilation/
UN warns ‘clandestine’ cross-border FGM undermines bans (msn.com)