Girls across England have reportedly been taking part in genital mutilation parties. In particular, African midwives are being flown to England to perform the illegal practice, referred to as FGM, on young girls, a charity group in Leeds called Black Health Initiative told BBC News in a Tuesday report.

“We know of parties happening here in England, and in West Yorkshire we recently had to break one up, and we’ve stopped another from taking place,” said Heather Nelson, Chief Executive of the Black Health Initiative. “What we’re finding now is that where once girls were taken abroad to be cut, specialist midwives are now flown over and several girls are cut at the same time, which then leads to a celebration.”

http://www.ibtimes.com/fgm-parties-uk-manchester-female-genital-mutilation-rise-england-2459599

An amended law that toughens penalties for female genital mutilation to up to 15 years in jail has come into effect, the health ministry announced Sunday.

Health ministry officials will monitor and oversee clinics and private hospitals to enforce the anti-FGM law that came into effect last Tuesday, the ministry said in a statement.

Under the new law, those convicted of carrying out female circumcision can now be jailed for between five and seven years, from three months and two years under the former law.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/afp/article-3998866/Egypt-brings-tougher-penalties-against-female-genital-mutilation.html