Welcome step in fight against FGM

THE recent introduction of legislation to prevent female genital mutilation is a welcome and progressive step bringing Ireland in line with international best practice and providing much needed legal clarity on the issue.

Female genital mutilation (FGM) or cutting (FGC), as it is also known, is estimated to have affected 140 million women and girls around the world today.

Each year, about 3 million girls, or 8,200 girls per day, are subjected to this practice.