Anti-Female Genital Mutilation Activist Urges Church Leaders to Help Stop Abuse

Carrie Dedrick | Updated: Jul 11, 2014

Anti-Female Genital Mutilation Activist Urges Church Leaders to Help Stop Abuse

A anti-female genital mutilation (FGM) activist is urging church leaders to get involved in the fight to stop abuse of young girls. Dr. Ann-Marie Wilson, executive director of charity Too Many will be speaking at the Church of England’s General Synod over the weekend, explaining that FGM is not just an issue in Africa; the horrific act occurs in the UK as well. 

Lucinda Borkett-Jones for Christian Today reports, “It is estimated that 30 million girls in Africa are at risk of FGM in the next 10 years. A recent parliamentary report estimated that 66,000 girls aged 13 and under are also at risk in Britain.” 

This is not the first time FGM has been discussed in Synod; the issue was addressed in 2002 when the church decided to condemn the abuse. In the assembly this weekend, Wilson will to determine how much progress has been made. 

Wilson’s plan for the Church involves educating children and youth leaders about FGM and how to identify girls at risk. 

"I'm looking for some really key people to get behind his and say that it's not acceptable for the Church not to take a stand on this," Dr Wilson said.

"There's been action from Government, which has come from pressure from NGOs, but the Church needs to catch up."

Publication date: July 11, 2014



Anti-Female Genital Mutilation Activist Urges Church Leaders to Help Stop Abuse