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Bacik calls for legislation specifically prohibiting female genital mutilation

Issued : Thursday 4 February, 2010

Speaking today at a seminar being hosted by the National Steering Committee on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), being held to mark International Day of Zero Tolerance to FGM, Senator Ivana Bacik called for legislation to be introduced specifically prohibiting FGM, saying:

“Legislation banning FGM is long overdue and was passed in Britain as long ago as 1985. Jan O’Sullivan TD introduced a private member’s bill on this issue in the Dáil in May 2009. The reason why we need such legislation is because there is a lack of clarity as to whether a defence of consent might apply to any parent charged with assault arising out of allowing FGM to be practised on their daughter.”

Welcoming the focus on FGM at the seminar, Senator Bacik also said, “The work of the Steering Committee on FGM has been very important in highlighting the enormous dangers to the health of women and girls represented by the barbaric practice of female genital mutilation. Now we must take the next step and pass legislation specifically prohibiting the practice.”