Women and Equalities Committee to hear evidence on female genital mutilation

• Wednesday, 5 March 2.20pm
• Venue: Committee Room 6, Palace of Westminster
• Watch live: Visit parliamentlive.tv
• Women and Equalities Committee

MPs on the cross-party committee, chaired by Labour MP Sarah Owen, will examine the prevalence and impact of female genital mutilation (FGM) in the UK. The session will also look at the work of the Government in addressing the health consequences of FGM survivors and preventing FGM happening within the UK and to UK residents.

The first panel is made up of survivors who run organisations working against FGM and to help survivors. The second panel comprises experts on the health impacts of FGM and the role of health services in helping survivors. While the third panel aims to understand the work of the police in stopping FGM and to examine how children are safeguarded against FGM in the UK. MPs will hear from an NSPCC representative, a retired Detective Constable who has led on and continues to work on FGM, and the Deputy National Lead for Harmful Practice at National Police Chiefs' Council. 

Witnesses

Panel 1: From 2.20pm

• Aissa Edon, Midwife and Founder at FGM Hope Clinic
• Valerie Lolomari, Founder at Women of Grace UK

Panel 2: From 3pm

• Janet Fyle MBE, Professional Policy Advisor at Royal College of Midwives
• Professor Hassan Shehata, Senior and Global Health Vice President at Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
• Juliet Albert, Specialist FGM Midwife at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust

Panel 3: From 3.40pm

• Grainne Boyle, FGM Helpline Practice Manager at NSPCC (virtual)
• Gillian Squires MBE, Director at Honour Me Ltd and Retired Detective Constable at West Midlands Police (in-person)
• Angela Craggs, Deputy National Lead for Harmful Practice at National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC)

Further information

• About Parliament: Select committees
• Visiting Parliament: Watch committees

Image: House of Commons