Excerpt:
In a step towards putting an end to female genital mutilation (FGM), Hounslow Council hosted its first conference to discuss ways to tackle the issue.
The local authority teamed up with leading anti-FGM charity, FORWARD (Foundation for Women's Health Research and Development), to raise awareness ahead of the summer holiday season, a high risk period.
The Hounslow Against FGM community event was attended by around 65 people on June 10, and highlighted the importance of safeguarding girls at risk from countries where the dreadful ordeal is still practised, such as Africa, the Middle East and Asia.