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Bristol Post
February 6, 2014
More than 110 cases of female genital mutilation have been recorded in Bristol last year. North Bristol NHS Trust reported 117 women, who used its hospitals during 2013, were found to have already had the operation.
Experts fear the real number of women at risk of FGM living in Bristol who have had the horrific operation, where the clitoris is either removed or narrowed by stitches, is around 2,000.
Layla Ismail, of Whitehall, has been a long-standing campaigner against the practice.
The 39-year-old was born in Somalia, where FGM was common practice for girls.
Her younger sister was rushed into hospital after having the procedure with a worrying night where they were unsure if she would pull through.
The mother-of-five moved to Bristol in 1995 to be with her husband who was studying at the University of Bristol and said information about FGM was non-existent back then.
She said: “The doctors never told me anything about it, it wasn’t something the community would talk about,” said Mrs Ismail, who now works as a community worker for Forward to educate people about the practice.
“I run groups where people can support each other.
“It helps to have people around they can discuss ideas with.
“It is not a religious act; how can something that harms people be religious?
“We are told we are not allowed tattoos because it damages the body but then people practise this.”
Her group not only offers support for women but also engages with men and religious leaders.
Despite there being cases of FGM in Bristol it is understood most girls are taken back to their country of origin for the operation, which is normally performed by people’s local doctors or nurses.
To date Avon and Somerset Police have made no arrests for FGM.
Assistant mayor for public health Barbara Janke said: “Much progress has been made in Bristol and around the world to change perceptions about this practice in communities where girls and women are at risk.
“The majority of victims are girls aged under 10, who cannot speak up for themselves.”
Thursday is the international day for Zero Tolerance to FGM and to mark the occasion a range of activities will be taking place in Bristol.
