© english.alarabiya.netA school in the East end of London is proactively trying to save young schoolgirls from FGM.
This article has disturbing text, photo and video. It will turn your stomach (and it should).A school in the East end of London has started teaching young people on the prevention of female genital mutilation (FGM) and forced marriage.
"Education to young people on female genital mutilation and forced marriage is hugely important and invaluable.
It is not just about legalization and having laws it's about prevention and getting to children as young as possible and explaining to them that this could happen to you," Arifa Nasim, educator and campaigner against forced marriage, told Al Arabiya News.
This week marked the start of a series of talks to young children at Frederick Bremer School in London on FGM and forced marriage.
Female genital mutilation (FGM), also known as female circumcision or female genital cutting, is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as
"partial or total removal of the external female genitalia for non-medical reasons."
© sankofaonline.comYoung female victim of FGM procedure, Ethiopia
FGM is practiced in many countries across the globe and is practiced by some
Arab, South-East Asian and African communities.The WHO have separated FGM into three categories; category one is the most common, the clitoris is held between the thumb and index finger, pulled and amputated with a blade.
Category two the clitoris is removed but the vaginal lips may also be partially or totally removed. Category one and two are the most common types of FGM. The final category,
category three is the most extensive; it involves complete removal of the clitoris, vaginal lips, also the two rounded outer folds that lie on either side of the vaginal opening are removed.
The consequences of FGM are huge, causing a life time of infection, pain and potential death to those who have it.The Home Office, said that there are 66,000 women in the UK who have had FGM and 24,000 young girls at risk.
With primary and secondary school children being most at risk of being sent abroad by their parents to "be cut" the aim of many campaigners and activist is to educate as many teachers and children on the dangers of FGM and how to spot a child who may be at risk.
Comment: Freedom in the U.S. is an illusion.