SPECIALIST officers at Stansted Airport to highlight issue of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
Officers from the Crime and Public Protection Command and Operational Policing Command in Essex were present at Stansted Airport on Friday 21 July as part of Operation Limelight.
Operation Limelight: Raising Awareness of FGM
Operation Limelight is a national initiative aimed at engaging with passengers and raising awareness about the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
- Officers engage with passengers traveling to areas where FGM is known to occur.
- They discuss the causes and impact of this cruel and dehumanizing crime.
- The goal is to prevent future acts of FGM through awareness and education.
Support and advice are also provided to any victims who disclose their experiences.
Positive Response from the Public
Detective Inspector Fred Tomkins, from the Public Protection Investigations Hub, expressed satisfaction with the positive response from the public. He emphasized the steps being taken to prevent future victims and support survivors of this terrible offense. He urged anyone who knows of someone at risk of FGM to contact the police or report anonymously to Crimestoppers.
The Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003
The Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003 makes it illegal to:
- Perform FGM in the UK.
- Help or arrange for anyone to carry out FGM abroad on girls who are British Nationals or UK residents.
- Help a girl to carry out FGM on herself.
- Fail to protect a girl under 16 who is known to be at risk of FGM.
FGM carries a penalty of up to 14 years in prison.
Signs of FGM
There are several signs that a girl may have been a victim of FGM:
- Changes in behavior.
- Missing school, particularly after a trip to a country where FGM is common.
- Spending long periods of time out of the classroom.
- Spending longer than usual going to the toilet.
- Avoiding going to the toilet.
- Discomfort when sitting down.
- Avoiding physical exercise.
- Frequent menstrual or urinary infections.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 5: Gender Equality
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
The issue of female genital mutilation (FGM) is connected to SDG 5, which aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. FGM is a harmful practice that violates the rights of girls and women, perpetuating gender inequality. Additionally, the article mentions the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003, which relates to SDG 16, specifically target 16.2, which aims to end abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 5.3: Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early, and forced marriage and female genital mutilation.
- Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
The article highlights the issue of FGM and the efforts to prevent future acts of FGM from taking place. By engaging with passengers and raising awareness about FGM, the aim is to eliminate this harmful practice and protect girls from violence and abuse.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator for Target 5.3: Proportion of girls and women aged 15-49 years who have undergone female genital mutilation/cutting, by age group.
- Indicator for Target 16.2: Number of victims of child abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and violence/torture.
The article does not explicitly mention any indicators, but the mentioned targets can be measured using the indicators provided. The proportion of girls and women who have undergone FGM can be measured to assess progress towards eliminating this harmful practice. Additionally, the number of victims of child abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and violence/torture can be tracked to monitor progress in ending these forms of violence against children.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
---|---|---|
SDG 5: Gender Equality | Target 5.3: Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early, and forced marriage and female genital mutilation. | Proportion of girls and women aged 15-49 years who have undergone female genital mutilation/cutting, by age group. |
SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children. | Number of victims of child abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and violence/torture. |
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Source: yourharlow.com
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