Models and mothers join forces to highlight FGM battle

African, Irish and other European models will hold a fashion show to help raise awareness of female genital mutilation among migrant communities in Ireland tonight.

African, Irish and other European models will hold a fashion show to help raise awareness of female genital mutilation (FGM) among migrant communities in Ireland tonight.

A fashion show at the Gresham hotel in Dublin aims to highlight the issue. FGM is carried out mostly on young girls in western, eastern and north-eastern regions of Africa.

It is believed that more than 2,500 migrant women and girls in Ireland have been affected.

Labour spokesperson on human rights Joe Costello will join Barney Shiels from Unicef Ireland at the event.

Organiser of tonight's event, Dublin-based Somali woman and survivor of female genital mutilation Ifrah Ahmed, said a number of Muslim mothers will also attend.

"They are determined to prevent young girls being sent home for FGM," she said.