The Ending Female Genital Mutilation Together Conference has taken place at the Nottingham Conference Centre this week.
The Conference will unite survivors of FGM, local authorities, Police, safeguarding professionals, health professionals, women’s groups, charities and community groups, to raise greater awareness of FGM and consider the best course of action to be taken to tackle it.
Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire County Councils, along with partner agencies whose responsibility is to safeguard children will be supporting the conference.
Specialist clinics in Nottingham dealt with more than 200 cases of Female Genital Mutilation last year and practitioners believe that this is just the tip of the iceberg.
Across, the world between 100 and 140 million girls and women have gone through genital mutilation, with around 3 million young girls undergoing it each year.
The practice is found in a number of African countries, and also in South East Asia and the Middle East. It is also found in Britain among communities that originate from these parts of the world.
The practice has been illegal in the UK since 1985 but is continuing to happen for a number of different reasons including a lack of awareness among professionals and the fear and embarrassment people may suffer as a result of taking about FGM.
Campaigner and conference organiser Valentine Nkoyo, said: “FGM is a dangerous practice that destroys lives. There is no reason for it on any grounds. I am keenly aware that there are cultures where this practice is the norm, but we are saying that it is unacceptable to do this to girls and women.
“There is a long-held belief that performing female circumcision ensures that women remain chaste, but there is absolutely no basis for that assertion.”
-Valentine Nkoyo, Campaigner and conference organiser.
“This view has been part of received cultural wisdom in some communities for so long, that is becomes taboo to challenge or even speak about it. But we must take action; together we have a responsibility to protect and safeguard our girls and women.”
Lynne McNiven, consultant in Public Health for Nottingam City Council and chair of the joint FGM Board said:
“This practice is becoming more of a concern in our own communities as we know that some girls from particular communities are taken abroad over the summer and they are subjected to FGM while they are away.
“Successfully tackling this practice will require a partnership approach, through multi agency and integrated working, along with strong community engagement, consultation and development.
“The joint FGM Board’s action plan includes ensuring a clear referral pathway is in place, training of front line workers, developing safeguarding protocols and supporting survivors.”
