Today is International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), an issue that remains prevalent today across the globe and here in the UK.
5 Shocking Facts
1. In 2014 it was reported that an estimated 60,000 women and girls in the UK could be at risk of FGM and over 125,000 may be living with the consequences. 2. This year, there are 4.1 million girls around the world that are at risk of undergoing FGM. 3. Globally, 100-140 million women and girls alive today have undergone FGM. 4. Every year 3 million girls undergo FGM in Africa. 5. Between January and March 2019, the NHS reported nearly 2000 cases where women and girls were identified to have FGM.
Nimco Ali OBE is a social activist, anti-FGM campaigner, co-founder of Daughters of Eve - and CEO and co-founder of The Five Foundation.
After being subjected to FGM when she was seven years old, Nimco is dedicated to raising awareness and eradicating cultural practice. Nimco has written widely on the subject of FGM in the British Muslim community and was recently appointed network coordinator for the government supported ‘End FGM’ campaign. She was awarded an OBE in the 2019 Birthday Honours and at the 2019 Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy’s International Women’s Rights Award.
Nimco works hard to advance and protect the physical, mental, sexual and reproductive health rights of young people from FGM practising communities.
“Ending FGM by 2030 is possible but we need to dramatically increase funding to front line women’s organisations on the African continent and around the world. 68 million girls are still at risk. As a global movement we also need to be better connected and call for it to end with one united voice.”
Nimco Ali is a heroine for our time, thank you for all of your work on ending FGM. We can and will end FGM.
There are several ways you can help put a stop to FGM
Donate
Donations are vital to funding Action Aid’s work in rural communities in Africa; £10 a month could pay to support a school girls’ club for one month where girls can learn about FGM, their right to refuse and where to go for help.
You can also donate to The End FGM European Network (End FGM EU) of 24 organisations working to ensure sustainable European action to end female genital mutilation.
Contact
The Five Foundation if you would like to join the global partnership to end FGM
If you’re worried about a girl you know…
The NSPCC has a dedicated free 24-hour helpline if you think a child you know might be at risk; phone 0800 028 3550 or email fgmhelp@nspcc.org.uk. The Metropolitan Police’s dedicated service for girls at risk of FGM is the Child Abuse Investigation Command/ Project Azure – call 020 7161 2888
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