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Female Genital Mutilation

Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) is a harmful practice that affects up to 140 million women globally. We believe girls have the right to have control over their own bodies so we’re supporting efforts to reduce the practice by 30% in at least 20 countries over the next years. Ultimately we want to end the practice within a generation.

My visit to the UK's busiest FGM clinic

Baroness Northover meets Comfort Momoh and a FGM survivor. Picture: Julia Smith/DFID

Yesterday I returned to a hospital where I worked many years ago. I used to gaze across the Thames from the window at St Thomas’ to the Houses of Parliament, not knowing they would have much direct relevance to me. …

The changing face of Female Genital Mutilation in Kenya

Children in class in one of the schools in Kuria on the Kenyan-Tanzanian border where FGM is rampant. Picture: Judy Kosgei

I called her today, the phone rang twice and she picked it up the third time. Like always the conversation started with: “How are you?” The 44-year-old calmly answered my call. “I am well, just calling to say hi,” I reply …

Breaking the silence: violence against women in Somalia and beyond

Young Somali girl in a classroom. Picture: Sven Torfinn/Panos

When you think of Somalia, you probably think of Black Hawk Down, Al Shabaab terrorism and piracy. But if you’re born a girl in Somalia, you face so many other risks, both severe and everyday. Decades of war and humanitarian …

End FGM – using Thunderclap to get the message across

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Zero Tolerance towards Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C)

BBC6 Music DJ and broadcaster Lauren Laverne joined thousands in DFID's successful social media "Thunderclap" earlier this month, culminating in a message of zero tolerance to female genital mutilation (FGM) message being sent out to millions of accounts. Around 1200 people …

One billion rise to tackle violence against girls and women on V Day

International Development Minister Lynne Featherstone believes FGM/C can end in a generation if we work together. Picture: DFID

I wanted to take the opportunity of V-Day, a day on which girls and women around the world will rise up to challenge the violence perpetrated on them, to update you on my priorities as Ministerial Champion for the elimination …

The silence has been broken, now let’s break the cycle of FGM/C

Efua Dorkenoo with UK International Development Minister Lynne Featherstone. Picture: Options

On this International Day of Zero Tolerance against Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C), I call on everyone to unite in a global movement to prevent the next generation of girls from undergoing FGM/C. As we start on a new global social …