Thursday, June 13, 2013
They warn that 20,000 girls in Britain are at risk of being subjected to the highly painful procedure.Political correctness is preventing British officials from taking
tough action against female genital mutilation in this country, a report
by MPs today says.
They warn that 20,000 girls in the UK are at risk of being subjected
to the highly painful procedure, and 66,000 women are living with its
after-effects, and yet not a single prosecution has been brought since
it was outlawed.
The failure to act seriously undermines Britain's
claim to be a world leader in tackling violence against women in
developing nations, the Commons international development select
committee said.
Up to 140m women and girls worldwide are estimated
to have undergone female circumcision. It is practised in more than 40
African countries - it is particularly widespread in Somalia - as well
as in parts of Asia the Middle East.
Female genital mutilation has been illegal in the UK since 1985 and punishable by up to 14 years' imprisonment.
But
there has not been a single prosecution, even after the law was
tightened in 2003 to criminalise the procedure taking place on British
citizens overseas.
The committee said: “The UK's international
leadership is weakened by its failure to address violence against women
and girls within its own borders, particularly female genital mutilation
from which 20,000 girls within the UK are at risk.
”Robust action
should be taken to counter political correctness and address culturally
sensitive practices such as female genital mutilation within the UK.“
William
Hague, the Foreign Secretary has made ending sexual violence a key aim
of Britain's presidency of the G8 and has visited rape victims in war
zones with actress and UN ambassador Angelina Jolie.
The
Department for International Development has devoted £35million to
eradicating the ”cutting“ of girls worldwide within a generation.
But
the MPs said: ”The UK's credibility in calling to end the practice
overseas is undermined by the failure to tackle the problem at home.“