Genital mutilation
Female genital mutilation is a dangerous practise that violates the human rights of women and girls, a leading health professional says.
Speaking at Cambridgeshire's first conference tackling 'honour' based violence, the Department of Health representative spoke about the links between female genital mutilation (FGM) and 'honour' based violence.
Keeping children and young people safe is a top Government priority. This includes keeping them safe from practises such as forced marriage and FGM.
FGM, also known as female circumcision, is incredibly harmful. It involves either partial or total removal of the external female genitalia for non-therapeutic reasons. The practise is incredibly controversial and condemned by organisations such as the United Nations, Oxfam and Amnesty International.
The operation can cause longterm mental and physical suffering, difficulty in giving birth, infertility and even death.
It's typically performed on girls aged between four and 13 although in some cases it's carried out on newborn babies or young women prior to marriage or pregnancy. The practise is banned in the UK.
The health representative said seeing a doctor may be one of the only chances an abuse victim may have to share her story.
She referred to the case of one woman, who moved to the UK following a forced marriage. While attending a hospital because of injuries inflicted by her husband, the woman was able to speak to a consultant about her plight. To this day she believes the consultant saved her life.
