Press release
Two day awareness raising initiative on law against female genital mutilation to take place in Dublin Airport this weekend
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Published on
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An Garda Síochána and the Border Management Unit of Dublin airport will this weekend run ‘Operation Limelight’ to raise awareness around the practice of Female Genital Mutilation in Ireland, including the law and the very serious risks to the long-term health of women and girls subjected to it.
Operation Limelight originated in the UK and similar initiatives have been implemented in other countries including Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States.
The 2 day initiative will run on Friday 27 and Saturday 28 October to reach high passenger numbers travelling for the bank holiday weekend.
Members of An Garda Síochána and the Border Management Unit will provide information to passengers travelling to and from Dublin Airport which will explain what FGM is, outline the law in Ireland, and inform people what they can do if they are worried that a girl may be at risk of FGM.
FGM (also known as circumcision or cutting) involves removing all or part of a girl’s external genital organs including the area around the vagina and clitoris. FGM is performed for cultural and not medical reasons and is illegal in Ireland.
Under the Criminal Justice (Female Genital Mutilation) Act 2012 it is a criminal offence for a person to attempt or perform FGM in Ireland and it is a criminal offence for someone resident in Ireland to take a girl to another country to undergo FGM.
FGM is mostly carried out on girls between birth and 15 years of age and it is a form of child abuse which comes under child protection regulations in the Children First National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children 2011.
It has also been recognised as a form of gender-based violence in the Third National Strategy on Domestic Sexual and Gender Based Violence and the current implementation plan for the Strategy contains actions focused on improving the supports and services available to those who have been subjected to FGM.
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly and Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Roderic O’Gorman, together with Garda Commissioner Drew Harris, have welcomed the launch of the initiative today.
Minister McEntee said:
“Part of our zero tolerance approach to DSGBV requires we recognise all forms of violence against women and that we remove any remaining taboos in speaking about them. FGM is a terrible form of violence, mainly carried out against young girls who are left to suffer the results of it for the rest of their lives. What makes this even more shocking is that it is generally committed or facilitated by those they should be able to look to for protection. It is a violation of the human rights of women and girls, it is illegal in Ireland and it is illegal for someone living in Ireland to bring a girl out of the country to undergo FGM.
"Despite the seriousness of it, many people are not aware that there are girls living here who are at risk of FGM. If we are to continue to work to eradicate it, here and abroad, we need to talk about it and we need to raise awareness of it across society. This 2 day initiative at Dublin airport is a welcome first step in doing that.”
FGM violates a series of well-established human rights principles, including the principles of equality and non-discrimination on the basis of sex, the right to life when the procedure results in death, and the right to freedom from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, as well as the rights of the child.
Speaking on the need to protect children from this harmful practice, Minister O’Gorman said:
“As Minister for Children, I am committed to making sure that the State serves and protects all of our children and young people. Ireland has not always protected children as it should, and I am determined that we should learn from our past, and act whenever we see children at risk.
"Female Genital Mutilation is child abuse, and it is shocking to think that a child growing up in Ireland today could be at risk. It is already a criminal offence, and is recognised in this country as both a form of child abuse, and gender-based violence.
"I welcome this initiative and hope that it will be an important step in raising awareness and ensuring the safety of all children living in our country.”
Speaking about the work of the HSE Minister Donnelly said:
"The Department of Health and the HSE National Social Inclusion Office play a key role in responding to the health needs of people from marginalised communities, including women who have experienced Female Genital Mutilation.
"As part of this work, the HSE work closely with AkiDwA, the Migrant Women’s Network, who collaboratively published a revised and updated third edition of the Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Handbook for Healthcare Professionals working in Ireland in 2021. This handbook ensures our medical staff are well equipped to provide care and support for these women.
"So far, well over 2,500 copies of this handbook have been distributed to doctors, nurses and midwives, medical social workers and medics working in Direct Provision centres. I am committed to continuing this support for some of the most vulnerable members of our society, and ensuring our health services have the capacity to provide the appropriate support to survivors of FGM."
Speaking about the Work of An Garda Síochána, Commissioner Harris said:
“This is a very welcome initiative. Female Genital Mutilation, the mutilation of children and young girls, is not and will not be tolerated. It is a heinous practice that is a criminal offence in Ireland.
“Our communities need to be vigilant and aware of this crime. An Garda Síochána appeals to anyone who suspects or believes a child is likely to be subject to Female Genital Mutilation either here or being brought outside the country for the purpose of Female Genital Mutilation, to contact their local Garda station, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or call the Child Abuse Reporting line on - 1800 555 222.”
The HSE is responsible for addressing the health implications of FGM and girls and women who have undergone FGM are at risk of suffering from complications throughout their lives. The HSE is committed to progressing health-related elements of FGM with specific reference to awareness-raising among communities, staff information, training of healthcare providers and other relevant frontline professionals, and support for survivors of FGM and those at risk, in addition to data collection.
The HSE funds the non-governmental organisation AkiDwA to work closely with at risk communities and to identify and alert when suspected persons may possibly be seeking FGM procedures. The HSE also funds the Irish Family Planning Association to provide free specialised medical and psychological care to women and girls in Ireland who have experienced FGM.
The Garda National Protective Services Bureau has recently commenced a communications strategy within An Garda Síochána to raise the awareness of the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Ireland. Briefings were held for Diversity Officers in the Dublin Region and some members from the Divisional Protective Service Units (DPSU’s) and these briefings will continue to be delivered throughout the organisation.
An Garda Síochána, working in partnership with AkiDwa have also produced and published a quick-guide and a comprehensive information document in relation to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). These documents are available to all Garda Síochána personnel and not only raise awareness on FGM within An Garda Síochána, they also advise on the instigation of an investigation and where appropriate services and support for victims may be sourced.