Speaking at the free public event will be Dr Gladys Obuzor, who worked in a rural Maasai community in Kenya where FGM is widely practiced, Peterborough social worker and Anglia Ruskin graduate Sarah Collins, and current student Wendy Ward, who has summarised Government guidance on FGM to staff on her placement working with children.
According to the World Health Organisation, FGM comprises all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. There are no health benefits to FGM and it is recognised internationally as a human rights violation.
According to UNICEF, around 125 million women alive today have undergone the procedure, which is mostly carried out in parts of Africa, Asia and the Middle East. And despite being illegal, it is estimated that 137,000 people in the UK are affected by FGM. The United Nations General Assembly resolved in 2012 to try and eliminate the practice worldwide.
Miriam Berg, Public Engagement Officer at Anglia Ruskin, said: “We are pleased to be able to welcome these three speakers to Peterborough to speak about this incredibly important issue. All three bring their own expertise about this problem which affects the lives of so many millions of women worldwide.”
The free talk will take place at Anglia Ruskin’s Guild House campus in Oundle Road, Peterborough on Wednesday 8 June from 5.30pm until 7pm. Refreshments will be available from 5pm.
To register, e-mail vicki.allen@anglia.ac.uk or call 01223 698168 by Monday 6 June.
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For more press information please contact:
Jon Green on t: 01245 68 4717, e: jon.green@anglia.ac.uk
Jamie Forsyth on t: 01245 68 4716, e: jamie.forsyth@anglia.ac.uk
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