If the news reports are true, this is truly horrific news. FGM is one of the oldest and most extreme ways to control the lives and bodies of young women and girls and sadly it’s prevalent across the Middle East and North Africa.

This only emphasises why it is critically important we act together to end FGM once and for all. This is why the Coalition Government held the Girl Summit just two days ago, where faith and community leaders came to together to sign a declaration condemning the practice and reiterating it is in no way a requirement by Islam or any religion.

We all need to act together to stop this horrendous violence and ensure women and girls are treated with the respect, dignity and equality they deserve.