Tomorrow is International Day for Zero Tolerance towards Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) - a day to break the silence around FGM, and hopefully, make a statement that can't be ignored.
125 million women and girls around the world have been subjected to this horrific form of violence - and 30 million girls are at risk of being cut over the next decade. These women have suffered a lifetime of damage, sometimes even death, as a consequence. In the UK, it's estimated that over 20,000 girls are at risk every year - and that 66,000 women in the UK are already living with the consequences of FGM.
We know that this is an issue that many MNers feel passionate about - and there's a growing movement calling for the eradication of this brutal practice within a single generation. But it's a huge task, and requires everyone who cares about the issue to stand together and say 'enough'.
The Department for International Development has organised a Thunderclap to help amplify the voices of those who want to end FGM. A Thunderclap is a mass Tweet or Facebook post - it's incredibly simple to join in, and takes literally seconds. Your Tweet or post will be 'released' at 11.30am tomorrow, along with those of everyone else who has participated - with luck making a massive noise across social media globally.
So do join in with a Twitter storm and Facebook frenzy this International Zero Tolerance Day, by sharing this statement via Thunderclap: I'm calling for an end to Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting. Retweet & take a stand this Zero Tolerance Day! Together we can #endFGM
If you have another moment, take another look at this recent guest post from FGM survivor, mother and Daughters of Eve activist Leyla Hussain - '[[http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/guest_posts/a1903396-Leyla-Hussein-on-FGM-Making-sure-my-daughter-wasnt-cut-is-my-greatest-achievement
Making sure my daughter wasn't cut is my greatest achievement]]'. It's an inevitably upsetting but incredibly powerful read - and a great reminder of the dreadful impact of FGM on women and girls in this country and around the world.
UPDATE Norman Baker MP will be joining Mumsnet for a live webchat tomorrow (Thurs 6th) on FGM and the Government's response. Please do post your questions here