Local MP Lynne Featherstone will host a conference in February, to raise awareness of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), and to discuss how professionals in North London can work together to protect and support vulnerable women and girls.

Professionals from the health, education, safeguarding and social work sectors, along with police and legal representatives, are among those invited to take part. They will be joined by survivors, community activists and local non-governmental organisations.

The conference will be hosted at a school in Hornsey and Wood Green – but is open to professionals and community activists from across North London.

In her role as Minister for International Development, the Liberal Democrat MP launched a £35 million programme to end the unacceptable practice of FGM across the world – within a generation.

Now, as Home Office minister for Crime Prevention, Lynne Featherstone is working to raise awareness, and protect and support girls at risk here in the UK.

Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“Over 20,000 girls under the age of 15 are at risk of FGM in the UK each year, and 66,000 women in the UK are living with the consequences of FGM.

“That’s why I’ve made tackling and preventing FGM one of my priorities – in Haringey, at the Department of International Development, and now at the Home Office.

“This conference will bring together professionals from across North London. There will be sessions for people in similar professions, followed by mixed sessions – to discuss how people in different sectors can work together to protect and support vulnerable women and girls.

“Any North London professionals who have not yet received an invite, but would like to attend – please do get in touch.”