International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

The UK government has announced new guidelines to help frontline healthcare professionals identify and prevent female genital mutilation.

A series of guidelines will be presented to chairs of Local Safeguarding Children's Boards, directors of Children's Services and regional directors of Public Health to ensure they can tell which women and girls are at risk and help protect them from the practice.

Equalities minister Lynne Featherstone said: "I have seen first hand the effect this abhorrent crime can have on women and girls. This government is determined to put an end to it.

"The guidelines will help local authorities, charities and communities work together to prevent women and girls being subjected to this terrible abuse, and that those who have already suffered are given the appropriate care and support."

Recently, Anthony Lake, chief of the United Nations (UN) Children's Fund, and Babatunde Osotimehin, head of the UN Population Fund called for female genital mutilation to be eradicated because it violates human rights and women's health.

Posted by Carla Mackenzie