A social media campaign calling for an end to female genital mutilation (FGM) will reach over 100,000 people on 21 November via social media.
The campaign in which people pledge support to end FGM using their facebook, twitter and Tumblr accounts now has over 150 supporters. Thunderclap is the first-ever crowdspeaking platform that helps people be heard by saying a single message at the same time. Everyone who supports the campaign will automatically send a message of support for the campaign on 21 November in an online flash mob by all saying “#EndFGM” at the same time.
FGM is a hideous crime which almost always goes unreported and around 24,000 girls are currently at risk of FGM across the UK which means that this is a problem that cannot be ignored in Staffordshire.
The campaign comes off the back of a conference held in September in Stafford in which over 400 professionals came together to debate, engage and raise awareness so that strong and effective partnerships can be formed to tackle this serious issue.
FGM, sometimes called female circumcision or cutting, involves the partial or total removal of the external female genital organs for cultural reasons. It is practised in 28 African countries and some in the Middle East and Asia and affects migrant communities in the UK.
Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Arnold said: “There is no justification for female genital mutilation and we must commit our resources, our expertise and our determination to eradicating this practise from Staffordshire and beyond.
“This online campaign will help to raise awareness of FGM and create a call to end it completely.
“We need you to support this campaign as our voices are louder when we speak together.”
