Hulu and Channel 4’s The Handmaid’s Tale is awash with chilling moments, but one that was added for the TV adaptation stood out as particularly affecting last night.

When Ofglen (Alexis Bledel) was carted away in a black van, it turned out not to be because of her Mayday connections but down to her rule-breaking affair with her female housekeeper

Told by a court that her very “existence is an abomination”, she was sentenced to “redemption” and later awoke in a hospital having been given what we are to assume was a clitoridectomy.

“The stitches will come out in a few days,” Aunt Lydia (Ann Dowd) tells her.

“You can still have children of course [fertility is valued in Gilead], but things will be so much easier for you now.”

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/the-handmaids-tale-fgm-scene-ofglen-hospital-a7786006.html

The United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF and the United Nation Population Fund, UNFPA in collaboration with the Ebonyi State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development yesterday has commenced the training of partners and educators from the 3 Female Genital Mutilation FGM high burden Local Government Areas of the State to mainstream FGM in their existing Secondary School curriculum.

Many girls in Essex have suffered female genital mutilation (FGM), according to a report from the NSPCC.

Figures released by the NHS show 15 women had been seen to have suffered the illegal procedure between January and March of this year in the county.

FGM, which is sometimes known as female circumcision, is an unnecessary and harmful act that is usually carried out on girls aged 15 and under. It is considered an act of child abuse

A spokesman from the NSPCC said: “We know that female genital mutilation is still affecting hundreds of girls in the UK, and these figures show that it continues to effect young people in Essex.

“We would urge those at risk, or any adults worried about them, to speak out and get help.

“Some families who subject their children to female genital mutilation may do so because of cultural norms or that they believe it will help their child improve their life.

“It’s vital that everyone realises FGM serves no purpose, leaves long lasting physical and emotional scars on the victims, and is a form of child abuse.”

The breakdown of the figures shows that many patients were given advice from the NHS.
http://www.essexlive.news/essex-girls-are-at-risk-of-fgm-warn-nspcc/story-30382741-detail/story.html

There were ten recorded cases of female genital mutilation (FGM) in Hertfordshire in the first three months of this year.

FGM, which is particularly prevalent among African, Asian and Middle Eastern communities, is the cultural practice of female circumcision, which can have serious, life-changing consequences and event results in deaths.

The latest NHS data reveals ten cases were referred by medical professionals between January and March, although none of these were newly recorded cases.

Children’s charity the NSPCC is currently monitoring hundreds of girls who have been impacted by FGM.

An East of England spokesman said: “We know that female genital mutilation is still affecting hundreds of girls in the UK, and these figures show that it continues to effect young people in Hertfordshire.

“We would urge those at risk, or any adults worried about them, to speak out and get help.

“Some families who subject their children to female genital mutilation may do so because of cultural norms or that they believe it will help their child improve their life.

“It’s vital that everyone realises FGM serves no purpose, leaves long lasting physical and emotional scars on the victims, and is a form of child abuse.”

http://www.hertfordshiremercury.co.uk/hertfordshire-nhs-staff-recorded-ten-cases-of-female-genital-mutilation-in-just-three-months/story-30378519-detail/story.html

Twenty new cases of female genital mutilation (FGM) have been reported in Nottingham – with the majority of the procedures being carried out on victims under the age of four.

New figures published by NHS Digital on Tuesday (June 6) show that the new cases were recorded between January and March this year.

All 20 victims were pregnant when the FGM was identified by and the majority of cases – 15 – were discovered by a medic carrying out an examination.

The data shows that all of the victims underwent a surgery called deinfibulation to treat some of the problems associated with FGM.

All of the reported victims went on to give birth to daughters and were advised on the dangers – and illegalities – of FGM in a bid to prevent further cases.

According to the data, 10 of the victims were under the age of one when FGM was carried out and five were aged between one and four. The ages of the remaining victims were not provided.

A spokesman for the NSPCC said: “We know that FGM is still affecting hundreds of girls in the UK, and these figures show that it continues to effect young people in the Nottingham area.

“We would urge those at risk, or any adults worried about them, to speak out and get help.

The Gambia Committee on Harmful Traditional Practices Affecting the Health of Women and Children (GAMCOTRAP) recently embarked on series of community outreach on thematic issues relating to Female Genital Mutilation Laws enacted in 2015.

The community awareness forums were held in Lower Nuimi, Upper Nuimi and Jokadou districts, all in the North Bank Region.

Funded by the United Nations Fund for Population Affairs, the events were aimed at enlightening the people on laws promulgated to protect women from FGM, gender based-violence and early or forced marriages in The Gambia.

http://allafrica.com/stories/201706050881.html

In February, federal investigators uncovered a Michigan-based network of doctors and others who practice female genital mutilation (FGM) on girls as young as six at medical clinics in the state. FGM is the cutting of a girl’s genitalia with the aim to “purify” her and repress her sexuality. All defendants in the case are members of the Dawoodi Bohra, a religious Muslim group. One of the girls who underwent the procedure was reportedly told that she was going on a “special girls’ trip” to “get the germs out.”

While the victim in this case may find justice in the courtroom, their lives and bodies have been irrevocably changed. Survivors of FGM whom I spoke to for my documentary film Honor Diaries tell of the physical and emotional pain that remains long after the abuse. Sexual intercourse and childbirth become horribly painful and traumatic experiences. Women may have chronic urinary tract infections and are often plagued with depression and other invisible scars.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2017/06/05/michigan-female-genital-mutilation-case-test-political-correctness-column/102310920/

Girls in Britain are at risk of being forced to undergo female genital mutilation and professionals need to be alert, a High Court judge says.

Mr Justice Keehan says police, social workers, teachers and medics must be aware of warning signs and know how to help.

The judge, who is based in the Family Division of the High Court in London, has outlined his thoughts in the foreword to a new book about female genital mutilation (FGM) and the law.

Female Genital Mutilation Law and Practice, written by barrister Zimran Samuel, offers guidance to protective measures available.

“The practice of female genital mutilation remains widespread across the globe, especially in parts of North Africa, but a substantial number of mutilations are reported to have been undertaken in this jurisdiction,” says Mr Justice Keehan.

“Accordingly, the risk to girls and young women living in this jurisdiction is not limited to being taken abroad to be subjected to FGM, but includes the risk of having the mutilation performed in this country.

http://www.aol.co.uk/news/2017/05/20/girls-in-uk-at-risk-of-female-genital-mutilation-says-high-cour/