A group of women, many of the Somali, have protested against the practice of female genital mutilation in Bristol / UK on wednesday, carrying signposts reading “Say no to FGM” and handing out leaflets.

It is estimated that around 2000 girls from immigrant families are currently at risk of being mutilated in Bristol alone. According to a BBC article, midwives in Bristol are reporting a large number of women with complications as a result of FGM, and say that 90 percent of all Somali women that deliver a child in Bristol are genitally mutilated. Social services in Bristol state that they are investigating around one case of FGM per month.

FGM, which is illegal in all European countries and can attract prison sentences up to 14 years in the UK causes chronic pain and health problems for its victims. In Bristol, health and social workers as well as teachers are receiving awareness training on FGM, its signs and complications.

Source: BBC