Today I am supporting International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), in solidarity with the global movement against the alteration or injuring of female genitalia for non-medical reasons. FGM is internationally recognised as a violation of women’s rights.

The UK Government has recognised that there is a strong need for a multi-agency approach, particularly as it is now also classed as a form of child abuse. This has resulted in more than 140 referrals to the police over the last four years - but there have still been no convictions to date.

Importantly, we don’t just want to prosecute, we want to prevent. There are an estimated 65,000 girls at risk of FGM in the UK and unless we take urgent action, it is clear that we run the risk of failing to protect them.

Professionals such as GPs, nurses, midwives, teachers and social workers need to be properly resourced and to be equipped with the right skills for early identification of those at risk of FGM. They also need to have a solid understanding of cultural and social implications.

This is why I have written to the Home Secretary  to call on the Government to introduce mandatory training on FGM as part of child protection.

I have also asked the Government to implement the recommendations made by the Home Affairs Committee to introduce compulsory PSHE, which includes FGM. I have tabled a Bill in Parliament to introduce PSHE in all schools too.  It is vital that young women and men are given education designed to end gender-based violence and that young women are empowered and given a framework within which to discuss their own fears and experiences of FGM.

As a passionate campaigner for women's rights, and a proud feminist, I hope the Government will mark International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM by taking immediate action to help end violence against women and girls.