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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2014/feb/07/how-do-we-end-female-genital-mutilation-fgm
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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| How do we end female genital mutilation? Live Q&A | How do we end female genital mutilation? Live Q&A |
| (7 months later) | |
| Fahma Mohamed, 17, has teamed up with the Guardian to call on the UK education secretary, Michael Gove, to raise teachers’ awareness of female genital mutilation (FGM). Between now and the school summer holidays is a critical time to inform teachers of the practice, as girls are at greater risk during the long school break. An estimated 66,000 women and girls in the UK have experienced FGM, and some 140 million women and girls are thought to be living with the consequences worldwide. | |
| On Monday between 12pm-1pm GMT Fahma will be online to answer readers’ questions about FGM. She will be joined by Efua Dorkenoo, advocacy director of Equality Now, and Nimco Ali, from the Daughters of Eve, both FGM activists based in the UK. | On Monday between 12pm-1pm GMT Fahma will be online to answer readers’ questions about FGM. She will be joined by Efua Dorkenoo, advocacy director of Equality Now, and Nimco Ali, from the Daughters of Eve, both FGM activists based in the UK. |
| Can we end FGM? If so, how? What can readers do to help? How do we address the problem in developing countries? Where have we seen progress? Could the Guardian #EndFGM campaign have a positive impact? | Can we end FGM? If so, how? What can readers do to help? How do we address the problem in developing countries? Where have we seen progress? Could the Guardian #EndFGM campaign have a positive impact? |
| Q&A highlights: | Q&A highlights: |
| Fahma, thank you very much for running such a wonderful campaign! | Fahma, thank you very much for running such a wonderful campaign! |
| It would be easier for any western woman not to bother about FGT because it doesn't seem to physically affect us, but I strongly disagree! | It would be easier for any western woman not to bother about FGT because it doesn't seem to physically affect us, but I strongly disagree! |
| If it affects one woman, it affects all of us. | If it affects one woman, it affects all of us. |
| I totally agree, the young people of Integrate Bristol who have been leading this work come from a range of communities and races.I got into fighting for commitment from Gove because we see FGM as a Human Rights issue and that is why we passionately seek to end it. The only reason it happens is due to gender and race. So women and men all need to stick together to end this. | I totally agree, the young people of Integrate Bristol who have been leading this work come from a range of communities and races.I got into fighting for commitment from Gove because we see FGM as a Human Rights issue and that is why we passionately seek to end it. The only reason it happens is due to gender and race. So women and men all need to stick together to end this. |
| If FGM is done as a rite of passage into a cultural setting (i.e. maturity, or womanhood, or whatever *in that community*), I wonder whether parents would think that by not cutting their girls, they are denying them entry to that cultural setting. If that is the case, then one way of countering the practice would be to address the parents and assuage that worry. | If FGM is done as a rite of passage into a cultural setting (i.e. maturity, or womanhood, or whatever *in that community*), I wonder whether parents would think that by not cutting their girls, they are denying them entry to that cultural setting. If that is the case, then one way of countering the practice would be to address the parents and assuage that worry. |
| It's these kinds of questions that have confused the issue for a long time, when it (FGM) is simply child abuse. This is why we need schools to engage, education to evolve and Gove to lead the way. | It's these kinds of questions that have confused the issue for a long time, when it (FGM) is simply child abuse. This is why we need schools to engage, education to evolve and Gove to lead the way. |
| Via email Anastacia Putilina asks: | Via email Anastacia Putilina asks: |
| Will it improve the situation if more men will be engaged in the campaign against FGM? | Will it improve the situation if more men will be engaged in the campaign against FGM? |
| Is it really all-women's issue or the opinions of men could also help to stop FGM practice? | Is it really all-women's issue or the opinions of men could also help to stop FGM practice? |
| Men are key to the issue, but their engagement has to be a supportive role and for them to take leadership of work. Women and girls have to be at the heart of all work. We need break the patriarchal which is also damaging to all and this is how we will end FGM. | Men are key to the issue, but their engagement has to be a supportive role and for them to take leadership of work. Women and girls have to be at the heart of all work. We need break the patriarchal which is also damaging to all and this is how we will end FGM. |
| When is the Uk going to stop hiding behind the excuses of "This is a cultural issue" in regards to FGM and other barbaric acts made on children and young people? FGM is a violation to a body and the child doesnt ask for this to be done to them. If it were an adult it was being done to, the perpetrator would be prosecuted. Well done on bringing this issue into the public awareness, its just a shame that still so many people chose to ignore it. | When is the Uk going to stop hiding behind the excuses of "This is a cultural issue" in regards to FGM and other barbaric acts made on children and young people? FGM is a violation to a body and the child doesnt ask for this to be done to them. If it were an adult it was being done to, the perpetrator would be prosecuted. Well done on bringing this issue into the public awareness, its just a shame that still so many people chose to ignore it. |
| Thanks for your support! We are doing our best to end FGM and break the cycle of abuse. FGM legitimises violence against women and girls at an early stage in the girl's life. By breaking this cycle at the beginning we are able to set a girl up for a life where she is empowered to contribute to her full potential. Please email endfgmc@options.co.uk to join the global movement. | Thanks for your support! We are doing our best to end FGM and break the cycle of abuse. FGM legitimises violence against women and girls at an early stage in the girl's life. By breaking this cycle at the beginning we are able to set a girl up for a life where she is empowered to contribute to her full potential. Please email endfgmc@options.co.uk to join the global movement. |
| Lost me here, just why has Gove got to fo anything about a problem that should be sorted by the community doing it,? We know it is illegal, so as they do in France, inspections of those affected, and prison for the Parents or Agents permitting it to take place, simple. | Lost me here, just why has Gove got to fo anything about a problem that should be sorted by the community doing it,? We know it is illegal, so as they do in France, inspections of those affected, and prison for the Parents or Agents permitting it to take place, simple. |
| FGM is child abuse. The department of education and all others with a responsibility for child safeguarding need to play their part. | FGM is child abuse. The department of education and all others with a responsibility for child safeguarding need to play their part. |
| Gove needs to take action because these are innocent children who need protection and it is our duty as adults and citizens of a free country to do so. Every child in this country matters. It is our government's responsibility to protect every child in the UK, regardless of their race, culture or faith from abuse. | Gove needs to take action because these are innocent children who need protection and it is our duty as adults and citizens of a free country to do so. Every child in this country matters. It is our government's responsibility to protect every child in the UK, regardless of their race, culture or faith from abuse. |
| Everyone needs to be addressed. However in my opinion, the best way to address people is through education. Raising awareness of FGM needs to happen in schools because we must educate the next generation of parents. Schools are a second home for children and they develop bonds with teachers that they feel they can talk to. This is why teachers can be the first ones to spot signs of abuse and to take the necessary actions to protect that child. Education is everything. | Everyone needs to be addressed. However in my opinion, the best way to address people is through education. Raising awareness of FGM needs to happen in schools because we must educate the next generation of parents. Schools are a second home for children and they develop bonds with teachers that they feel they can talk to. This is why teachers can be the first ones to spot signs of abuse and to take the necessary actions to protect that child. Education is everything. |
| Question from Ray Jones, by email: Would you want the police or authority to become more involved in stopping this practice of mutilation at homes in this country? | Question from Ray Jones, by email: Would you want the police or authority to become more involved in stopping this practice of mutilation at homes in this country? |
| The Met police is already engaged in the campaign - from both the education side of affected communities about the law and also on prosecutions.The police work will have to be part of joined up work with health,social care education and civil society groups with prevention and protection at the core. | The Met police is already engaged in the campaign - from both the education side of affected communities about the law and also on prosecutions.The police work will have to be part of joined up work with health,social care education and civil society groups with prevention and protection at the core. |