SENATOR BACIK SEEKS CLARIFICATION ON INCIDENCE OF FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION

Ivana Bacik TD
26 October 2016

Senator Ivana Bacik is today tabling a question for the Minister for Justice and Equality in the Seanad, seeking clarification on the incidence of cases of female genital mutilation (FGM) in Ireland.

Senator Bacik will put this question in the context of recent reports that an act of female genital mutilation (FGM) carried out upon a child in Ireland has been reported to the HSE and Gardaí. She will ask how many cases of FGM have been reported to the Gardaí since the enactment of the Criminal Justice (Female Genital Mutilation) Act 2012, what supports are provided to agencies like Akidwa which are working to prevent the incidence of FGM in the community, and whether the government will sign up to the second National Action Plan on FGM.

In tabling the question before the Seanad this morning, Senator Bacik will say:

“The Criminal Justice (Female Genital Mutilation) Act 2012 started life as a private member’s bill that I introduced in the Seanad in April 2010, and was commenced in September 2012. However, there are now concerns as to the level of resources available to organisations working to provide support to communities in Ireland to prevent the carrying-out of any acts of FGM.

“International research shows the enormous dangers to the health of women and girls represented by the barbaric practice of female genital mutilation. The NGO Akidwa, with which I worked closely on developing this legislation, estimates that over 5,000 women living in Ireland have undergone FGM – so this is a pressing issue in this country. Four years after the introduction of legislation specifically prohibiting the practice, it is crucial that sufficient resources are provided to support the work of Akidwa and other organisations that are continuing to work to raise awareness about FGM and to work directly with communities to prevent its practice.”

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