Yvette Cooper MP, Labour’s Shadow Home Secretary, speaking on International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation, said:

“Female Genital Mutilation is an abhorrent crime. Taking action to prevent young girls becoming victims of FGM and bringing to justice those people who perpetrate it must be a key strand of our Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy.

“We know thousands of girls in Britain are at risk of FGM. Yet the Government are refusing to take action to make sure schools are teaching children about the dangers of this procedure and directing them to organisations who can help them if they are concerned that they will be affected. Teachers also need more training and information to identify signs that a girl in their class could be a potential victim of FGM. This means many girls at risk are left with little or no support.

“We cannot continue to simply condemn this practice with words. Today, when people from across the world are coming together to support zero tolerance of FGM, we must look to our Government to take action to prevent more girls becoming victims of this terrible abuse.”