Mojatu Berkshire Magazine Issue B011

6 News & Sports
mojatu.com
“Sheriff of Nottingham to take Zero-tolerance
stance against Female Genital Mutilation”
For immediate release:
The Sheriff of Nottingham, Councillor Jackie Morris
is to show the commitment and passion of local
Nottingham communities by proposing a motion on
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) at Nottingham City
Councils full Council on September 12 th .
Councillor Morris has been working closely with local
group Mojatu to highlight the issue in an attempt to
help end its practice in the City.
It is believed that over 60,000 women and young girls
are at risk of FGM in the UK alone and the Sheriff is
determined to tackle the practice:
“Female Genital Mutilation is something that people
think shouldn’t be talked about but that’s partly what
makes the practice continue” said the Sheriff.
She went on to say:
“That’s why I’ll be moving this motion, to make it
known that Nottingham is a Zero-tolerance City
when it comes to Female Genital Mutilation.”
Valentine Nkoyo, Director Mojatu Foundation and Chair
of the Nottingham Community FGM Steering Group said:
“I am so thrilled with this news and grateful to our city
for taking such a strong stand and we believe that this
will keep the subject on the agenda. Survivors and the
community steering group have continued to work
hard to raise awareness and support those affected
so this is such wonderful news which will accelerate
our momentum in tackling FGM in Nottingham and
beyond. With about 200 new cases reported each
year in Nottingham only, it couldn’t have come at
a better time. I am glad that our Nottingham FGM
Ambassador, Sherriff of Nottingham, Cllr Jackie Morris
took on board our request and tabled the motion.
We are thankful to all our funders and partners for
their support and especially the Office of the Police
and Crime Commissioner, Nottingham Refugee
Date:
Forum, The City Council, Big Lottery Fund, Rosa Fund,
Nottingham Women Centre, City and County FGM
Strategy Board, Nottingham Trent University, The
University of Nottingham among others. This is worth
celebrating!”
Councillor Alex Norris, Portfolio Holder for Adults
and Health at Nottingham City Council is also firmly
behind the motion and its proposals and said:
“This motion represents a real step forward in
tackling FGM and helping support and empower
communities across our City. The step of supporting
the establishment of a referral pathway for the City
has the real potential to help change lives.”
Motion to full Council reads:
This Council notes that Female Genital Mutilation
represents a risk to physical health, mental health and
quality of life for young women across the whole of
the United Kingdom. It is believed over 60,000 people
are at risk of this abuse in this country alone.
The City Council stands against Female Genital
Mutilation (FGM) and resolves to:
• Make Nottingham a “Zero Tolerance” City in
respect to Female Genital Mutilation.
Female Genital
• Work to end the procedure within FGM the city – FA
by working closely with survivors, HELP affected & AC
communities and other agencies with a
responsibility to safeguard and protect.
The summer holiday in the UK is referred
• Provide training for staff in to relation help to spot FGM the where signs many girls
associated with Female Genital Mutilation.
Facts
• Work closely with • grassroot FGM is any procedure organisations, that intentionally survivors alter or caus
organs for non-medical reasons.
and communities to prevent children being removed
• FGM has been illegal in England and Wales since 1
from the city to experience Female Genital Mutilation.
• Help support potential survivors of Female Genital
Mutilation to say no and raise awareness amongst
their peers and communities.
• Help with Empowering raising Women awareness and keep the subject on the
agenda Through while Education showcasing & Beyondthe successes of Nottingham.
ALL ABOUT OUR WELLBEING
• Support the establishment of a referral pathway for the City.
Notes to editors:
For more information please contact Nathan
Oswin, Political Assistant to the Labour Group
Carol.McCormick@nuh.nhs.uk or 0115 969 1169
at Nottingham City Council on: 07880349362
nathan.oswin@nottinghamcity.gov.uk
Venue:
End FGM in Berkshire
Sunday 17 July 1 pm – 7 pm
Reading Hilton Hotel,
Actions
Cost: £15 Registration FeeJoin Drakes Us Way, in helping Reading, Declare Reading the
2 nd To help RG2 end 0GQ FGM and support survivors, join one of our c
City to • of FGM Zero-Tolerance
Survivors Club
Health and Wealth Creation, Career development,
To Female Genital • FGM Mutilation Steering Group in the UK
Health and Family relationship, etc.
Contact:
• FGM Champions of Change
Main Speakers among others are:
Reva Stewarts Utulivu Tracey Women’s MarriottGroup For | 0118 more 907 information, 2534 contac
Berkshire Health Foundation
Director of Innovation Adoption, Oxford
0785 9063643 | utulivucoordinator@live.co.uk
Trust Locality Director
Working Partners:
Academic Health Science Network
• FGM is a form of child abuse and violence against w
• It is an offence to fail to protect a girl from the risk of
• FGM is Non-Islamic, against the teachings of Islam
• FGM is putting the health of our daughters, sisters,
• FGM affects girls and women both physically, emoti
• Over 200 million girls and women worldwide have u
• 10,000 girls aged under 15 who have migrated to England
• Statistics show about 200 new cases a year are rep
Help
Are you concerned a girl or woman is at risk or need su
‣ Call 0808 028 350 for a 24/7 anonymous FGM helpline o
‣ Call Nottingham City Council Children and Families Direc
‣ Ring the police on 999 if FGM has just happened or abou
‣ Refer survivors needing medical attention to FGM medica
‣ For emotional and peer support for survivors in Nottingha
entine Nkoyo at valentine@mojatu.com or 07794372214
‣ Are you from an affected community in Nottingham wanti
FGM Steering Group: Contact valentine@mojatu.com or
South
Sudanese
Association
in Reading
Phone: 01158457009 Mobil
Email: valentine@mojatu.com Website