Masai women in Kenya meet to discuss practice of FGM
3 July 2014 Last updated at 07:01 BST
The practice of female genital mutilation (FGM), where women's genitals are altered or injured for non-medical reasons, is rife in parts of Africa.
Dangers include severe bleeding, problems urinating, infections, infertility and increased risk of newborn deaths in childbirth.
Despite these complications, cultural and religious beliefs mean millions of girls are still at risk of being mutilated.
Anne Soy reports from Kenya where there is a generational divide between proponents of FGM and those who want to abandon the tradition.
Watch her report here.
Female genital mutilation: A family speaks out against the practice
5 February 2014 Last updated at 23:37 GMT
Doctors and nurses in the UK will be required to log details of the injuries suffered by victims of female genital mutilation (FGM).
The practice has been illegal in Britain since 1985, but no-one has ever been prosecuted for FGM, which is widely carried out by communities originally from the Middle East, Africa or Asia.
At least 66,000 girls and women in the UK are believed to be victims.
Three generations of one Somali family, scarred by the practice, have spoken out.
Reeta Chakrabarti reports.
Far East clinics offer genital mutilation to UK girls
16 February 2014 Last updated at 06:20 GMT
A BBC investigation has discovered a group of clinics in the Far East willing to carry out female genital mutilation on British children, a procedure which has been illegal in the UK for nearly 30 years.
It is estimated that up to 20,000 children in the UK are at risk of this practice each year which involves the complete or partial removal of the external genital organs.
Nasiim Ahmed, working with BBC Inside Out, discovered a group of clinics in Singapore which were willing to provide a form of female genital mutilation called Sunat.
Of the six clinics she contacted, she found three willing to undertake female genital mutilation, a form of circumcision for young women.
Although Sunat is legal in Singapore, it is illegal for British parents to take their daughters there to undergo the procedure.
After listening to Inside Out's evidence, the NSPCC's Sarah Carter said she would be passing this child protection issue to the police.
Alison Saunders, director of public prosecutions, says it is difficult to prosecute if people do not come forward so raising awareness amongst young women is extremely important.
Anyone who is worried about female genital mutilation can contact the FGM Helpline on 0800 028 3550.
Watch Nasiim's report here.
Female genital mutilation: London hospitals treat 4,000 patients
19 March 2014 Last updated at 22:29 GMT
Nearly 4,000 women and girls have been treated for female genital mutilation (FGM) in London's hospitals since 2009, according to new figures.
The data was obtained through Freedom of Information requests to NHS Trusts by BBC London 94.9.
Forty-one hospital trusts were contacted by the BBC with most supplying figures. Six said they did not currently record figures on FGM, while four did not respond.
BBC London's Tarah Welsh spoke to Aissa Edon, an FGM specialist midwife, Dr Comfort Momoh, from Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital, headteacher Sophie Allen, from The Stonebridge School, and the Minister for International Development Lynne Featherstone.
This report reveals just how far we have to go to eliminate this insane practice of cutting girls for tradition sake or for misogynist reasons. If those living in the UK can't be stopped, what chance is there of stopping the mutilation in the countries where it began?
Female genital mutilation failure 'a national scandal' - MPs
2 July 2014 Last updated at 22:43 BST
The failure to tackle female genital mutilation (FGM) in the UK is a "national scandal" that has affected as many as 170,000 women, MPs have said.
A report by the Home Affairs Committee said failures by ministers, police and other agencies have led to the "preventable mutilation of thousands of girls".
Critics say the report has no plan for engaging with the communities involved to help end the practice.
Home affairs correspondent June Kelly reports.
3 July 2014 Last updated at 07:01 BST
The practice of female genital mutilation (FGM), where women's genitals are altered or injured for non-medical reasons, is rife in parts of Africa.
Dangers include severe bleeding, problems urinating, infections, infertility and increased risk of newborn deaths in childbirth.
Despite these complications, cultural and religious beliefs mean millions of girls are still at risk of being mutilated.
Anne Soy reports from Kenya where there is a generational divide between proponents of FGM and those who want to abandon the tradition.
Watch her report here.
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| FGM is usually performed on young girls, often without anesthetic |
5 February 2014 Last updated at 23:37 GMT
Doctors and nurses in the UK will be required to log details of the injuries suffered by victims of female genital mutilation (FGM).
The practice has been illegal in Britain since 1985, but no-one has ever been prosecuted for FGM, which is widely carried out by communities originally from the Middle East, Africa or Asia.
At least 66,000 girls and women in the UK are believed to be victims.
Three generations of one Somali family, scarred by the practice, have spoken out.
Reeta Chakrabarti reports.
Far East clinics offer genital mutilation to UK girls
16 February 2014 Last updated at 06:20 GMT
A BBC investigation has discovered a group of clinics in the Far East willing to carry out female genital mutilation on British children, a procedure which has been illegal in the UK for nearly 30 years.
It is estimated that up to 20,000 children in the UK are at risk of this practice each year which involves the complete or partial removal of the external genital organs.
Nasiim Ahmed, working with BBC Inside Out, discovered a group of clinics in Singapore which were willing to provide a form of female genital mutilation called Sunat.
Of the six clinics she contacted, she found three willing to undertake female genital mutilation, a form of circumcision for young women.
Although Sunat is legal in Singapore, it is illegal for British parents to take their daughters there to undergo the procedure.
After listening to Inside Out's evidence, the NSPCC's Sarah Carter said she would be passing this child protection issue to the police.
Alison Saunders, director of public prosecutions, says it is difficult to prosecute if people do not come forward so raising awareness amongst young women is extremely important.
Anyone who is worried about female genital mutilation can contact the FGM Helpline on 0800 028 3550.
Watch Nasiim's report here.
 |
| The pain of FGM has been described as worse than giving birth |
19 March 2014 Last updated at 22:29 GMT
Nearly 4,000 women and girls have been treated for female genital mutilation (FGM) in London's hospitals since 2009, according to new figures.
The data was obtained through Freedom of Information requests to NHS Trusts by BBC London 94.9.
Forty-one hospital trusts were contacted by the BBC with most supplying figures. Six said they did not currently record figures on FGM, while four did not respond.
BBC London's Tarah Welsh spoke to Aissa Edon, an FGM specialist midwife, Dr Comfort Momoh, from Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital, headteacher Sophie Allen, from The Stonebridge School, and the Minister for International Development Lynne Featherstone.
This report reveals just how far we have to go to eliminate this insane practice of cutting girls for tradition sake or for misogynist reasons. If those living in the UK can't be stopped, what chance is there of stopping the mutilation in the countries where it began?
Female genital mutilation failure 'a national scandal' - MPs
2 July 2014 Last updated at 22:43 BST
The failure to tackle female genital mutilation (FGM) in the UK is a "national scandal" that has affected as many as 170,000 women, MPs have said.
A report by the Home Affairs Committee said failures by ministers, police and other agencies have led to the "preventable mutilation of thousands of girls".
Critics say the report has no plan for engaging with the communities involved to help end the practice.
Home affairs correspondent June Kelly reports.
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