Freedom Charity founder speaks to Haverstock School about fight to end practice of FGM

Education is the key to ending the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), according to the founder of an awareness charity.

Freedom Charity founder and author, Aneeta Prem, marking International FGM day by giving a talk on female genital mutilation FGM at Haverstock School - Credit: Nigel Sutton

Aneeta Prem, founder of Freedom Charity, spoke to students at Haverstock School about why they need to speak up if they think a friend or relative is in danger of receiving FGM.

FGM, also known as female circumcision, is the ritual removal of some or all of the external female genitalia, a practice which can be found in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

During the visit to the Haverstock Hill school, the campaigner handed out copies of her book, ‘Cut Flowers’, to students as part of International FGM Day.

The author said: “Boys as well as girls are needed to help change opinions.

Freedom Charity founder and author, Aneeta Prem, marking International FGM day by giving a talk on female genital mutilation FGM at Haverstock School Commander Mak Chishty with Iman Abdirisak - Credit: Nigel Sutton

“More than 200 million women and girls have gone through the horrors of FGM. We can stop FGM in a generation. “Through education we can explain the long term health dangers and dispel many of the myths and secrets that have kept this barbaric practice alive.”