FGM - topic back in today's news.

[fl0wer]

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/52740

To read the campaigner's column in the Guardian online, go to its 'Comment is Free' section, here =>http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/nov/05/female-genital-mutilation-fgm-child-abuse-british-girls

Her contribution is included in a TV programme for Channel 4.

catch-up link http://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-cruel-cut/4od

Warning: this film will be gruesome & opens with on-line guidance for protecting children's viewing.

The so-called 'cultural' arguments are reviewed as part of Leyla's campaign.

[uncleglen]

Should we really be interfering in other peoples' cultures? As they say.

[devsdev]

Yes. When anything masquerading as culture is blatantly violent, unfair, unkind and harmful, then everyone should speak out against it. Some things are very clear, like FGM.

[Yuuna]

uncleglen Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Should we really be interfering in other peoples'

> cultures? As they say.

Who is 'they'? Your ancestors who interfered in most cultures of the world and in many cases devastated them?

It is a practice used to control women. This society is by no means perfect however it can have at least some positive influence, it is hoped...

[EmilyPie]

Signed.

[Belle]

Signed. Agree the issue of FGM is absolutely clear.

[tiddles]

signed, thanks for highlighting this.

[uncleglen]

'They' is the PC brigade and my ancestors are Irish and Jewish thanks.

[Yuuna]

You're welcome, as always.

It was unsurprising to hear of the lack lustre response by this government. 28 years and no convictions? As per usual, France and other countries are actually doing something. It was coincidental (or was it planned?) that an advert came on after the programme depicting two trucks carrying BS (read: bullshit) to the Houses of Parliament.

I hope this petition and the show does bring more awareness of the issue. However awareness isn't action. I think one way to make Parliament act would be to embarass/shame (do they have any?) them into action by highlighting how France has worked to stamp it out. They could even invite a leading official to speak on national television about the work being done. Make Britain feel proud to be British and NOT French...

[hpsaucey]

Signed - agree with FGM it's an absolutely clear case. Hiding behind 'political correctness' or purported respect for 'cultural difference' as a reason to delay acting is cowardly.

[Scribble]

The 'cultural differences' argument holds no water at all when people from within these cultures (like the woman in this programme) are publicly exposing and condemning the practice as a step towards its eradication.

In any case, IS anyone seriously arguing for inaction on this basis? Or is the very idea of the 'PC Brigade' an utter straw man in itself?

[VanessaPMR]

Seriously unclegen..

We 'interfere' in other peoples countries through a variety of channels..international aid being the most obvious one..but somehow its a bit off to try to stop them hacking away their girl children's privates...

signed

[Yuuna]

I admit, I was tempted to post a picture to show what a mutilated vulva looks like and then people could decide if they thought it was something they would be happy for their daughter to experience. In some cases newborn babies are subjected to this. The practice may have been around for millennia however that does not make it right. People used to throw disabled children in bogs. If that were still being practiced would we say 'we shouldn't interfere'? Evil is allowed to continue when we stand and do nothing.

As a human, woman and mother of three daughters the thought of this practice saddens me deeply. I can't understand how humanity can have invested so much time and energy into harming one another; even our children. They may be a different culture, have different coloured skin but they are still every bit as human as the rest of us. Shame on this government for doing so little.

[fl0wer]

Hear, hear, Yuuna.

[Zedd]

signed.

posting to bump this thread back up.

[Bkk]

Signed x

[srisky]

Signed. It's a no brainer...

[canela]

signed.

[MrsP]

Takes less than a minute - signed.

[jollymummy]

I would sign this a 1000 times if I could. I have a daughter and the thought of her experiencing this brings tears to my eyes, how anyone can remotely think we should do nothing to stop this barbaric practice is unthinkable.

[chloe11]

Signed.

[fl0wer]

Good news, the number of signatures passed 80,000 and recently I received an update from the relevant govt dept, which I expect all of you will get on your emails too, so will only copy and paste it here if requested.

Thanks everyone for support.

[MGolden]

Signed.

[kamath]

Signed . I watched the video you posted and the cry of that little girl has haunted me ever since. Also well said Yunna I agree . Hope lots more sign.

[fl0wer]

Another petition if you would like to reaffirm support please sign => http://www.cityofsanctuary.org/news/2240/new-petition-support-asylum-claims-grounds-fgm

This one's en route to Theresa May.

BTW an interesting website.