International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

A campaigner has called on policymakers in Europe to take decisive action to curb female genital mutilation.

Members of the European Parliament recently voted in favour of taking steps to clamp down on the procedure.

However, Dr Christine Loudes, director of the End FGM European Campaign, is concerned that previous pledges to act have not been followed through, Public Service Europe reports.

As a result, she has urged the European Union to take decisive steps to "end this deeply entrenched practice", such as stepping up engagement with communities where it is still performed.

Dr Loudes said about half a million females in Europe currently live with the consequences of female genital mutilation, including childbirth complications, infections and psychological scars.

She added that up to 2,000 girls of school age are likely to undergo the procedure in the UK during the summer holidays.

Figures from the World Health Organization indicate that across the globe, an estimated 92 million girls aged ten and older have been victims of the practice.

Posted by Paul Robertson