Aid Agency Calls for FGM Legislation

June 25, 2009 An aid agency is calling for specific legislation on Female Genital Mutilation to protect women and girls in Ireland from the practice. World Vision Ireland says a large number of women and families from countries with high prevalence rates of FGM are continuing to migrate to Ireland. The issue came to national prominence in Nigerian woman Pamela Izevbekhai’s fight to remain in Ireland, Her deportation case is ongoing and her main argument is that if sent back to Nigeria her two daughters will be subject to FGM. Former Mayor of Sligo Veronica Cawley held a civic reception last year in order to highlight the dangers and prevalence of the procedure. World Vision Ireland is before the Oireachtas Foreign Affairs Committee today. Spokesperson Eileen Morrow says legislation is vitally needed. And her is the rest of it.