Excerpt:
The news yesterday that the first prosecution in the UK on female genital mutilation (FGM) is imminent will – rightly – spark a flurry of media coverage and discussion about this horrific practice.
I welcome the message that a prosecution will send – that FGM is unacceptable. But, it's important not to fall into the trap of believing that prosecution is some sort of panacea.
Prosecution is certainly one of the means by which FGM can be challenged. However it is prevention of the practice in the first place, as well as protection of those affected, that is critical. What's also clear is that we won't end FGM in the UK without ending it abroad.