Politicians, police and support groups will this morning launch a summer campaign against female genital mutilation (FGM).
Up to 2,000 girls in Bristol are thought to be at risk from the illegal practice, which involves the total or partial removal of external female genitalia.
FGM carries the risk of death from bleeding or tetanus, and long-term problems including urinary incontinence, recurrent infections and chronic pain, while reversal procedures are necessary for childbirth.
The event today at the Junction 3 development will mark the start of a series of events over the next two months, with girls known to be at greater risk of being forced to undergo FGM during the summer.
The practice is carried out in more than 28 African countries, some Asian and South American countries, Afghanistan, Iraq and some Kurdish communities.
Somali Resource Centre Manager Abdullahi Farah said though that attitudes were changing in the Somali community and he would continue to fight to end the practice.
“Attitudes are changing and the campaign gains momentum. We organise events for Somali men to raise awareness and to involve them in the campaign against FGM. We need to let everybody know that there is no place for such horrible practice in our society,” he said.
Bristol mayor George Ferguson, councillors Peter Hammond and Helen Holland will join representatives from Bristol City Council, Avon and Somerset Police, Women in Serious Endeavours (WISE), Refugee women in Bristol, IBristol multi-faith forum, ntegrate Bristol, Safer Bristol, Bristol Rape Crisis, the Somali Resource Centre and Somali Forum to sign a declaration that says: “We the undersigned publicly stand against Female Genital Mutilation and are committed to safeguarding females of all ages, cultures and nationalities against this harmful practice.”
The campaign also has the support of police and crime commissioner Sue Mountstevens.
“Tackling violence against women and children is one of my key priorities highlighted in the Police and Crime Plan and forms the heart of the work carried out by many specialist organisations across Avon and Somerset,” she said.
“FGM is an illegal and violent form of child abuse that has lifelong health and emotional implications. I am extremely supportive of the work already underway to explore and address FGM as an issue within our communities. It is imperative that we continue to raise understanding and awareness of this unacceptable and illegal practice.”