To debate a motion which has been submitted with advance notice, in accordance with the constitution.
Female Genital Mutilation
That this Council notes that it is estimated that up to 66,000 women and young girls in the UK have undergone Female Genital Mutilation, of this number 20,000 are under the age of 15.
We further note that these procedures have no health benefits and is a harmful traditional practice and an act of violence against women and girls, constitutes a violation of their fundamental rights, particularly the right to personal security, physical and mental health and of their sexual and reproductive health and is an act of child abuse.
Such violations can under no circumstances be justified by respect for cultural or religious traditions or initiation ceremonies.
To date there has not been a single prosecution for this in 28 years within the UK for those responsible for perpetrating this horrific crime as opposed to a more proactive approach in France.
The Council asks the Leader and Chief Executive to ensure all council staff and members assist health and Social Care professionals in Oxfordshire, including Midwifes, Obstetricians, Nurses, Social Workers, Community Workers, Police, Crown Prosecution Service and Policy makers to work together to identify women and young girls who are at risk and to work in partnership to take effective action to bring to an end this barbaric practice.
Proposer: Cllr Kieron Mallon
Decision:
Resolved
That the following motion, as amended, be adopted:
Female Genital Mutilation
That this Council notes that it is estimated that up to 66,000 women and young girls in the UK have undergone Female Genital Mutilation, of this number 20,000 are under the age of 15.
We further note that these procedures have no health benefits and is a harmful traditional practice and an act of violence against women and girls, constitutes a violation of their fundamental rights, particularly the right to personal security, physical and mental health and of their sexual and reproductive health and is an act of child abuse.
Such violations can under no circumstances be justified by respect for cultural or religious traditions or initiation ceremonies.
To date there has not been a single prosecution for this in 28 years within the UK for those responsible for perpetrating this horrific crime as opposed to a more proactive approach in France.
The Council asks the Leader and Chief Executive to ensure all council staff and members assist health and Social Care professionals in Oxfordshire, including Midwifes, Obstetricians, Nurses, Social Workers, Community Workers, Police, Crown Prosecution Service, Teachers, School and Education professionals and Policy makers to work together to identify women and young girls who are at risk and to work in partnership to take effective action to bring to an end this barbaric practice.
Minutes:
a) Female Genital Mutilation
It was moved by Councillor Mallon, and seconded by Councillor Reynolds, that the following motion be adopted:
Female Genital Mutilation
That this Council notes that it is estimated that up to 66,000 women and young girls in the UK have undergone Female Genital Mutilation, of this number 20,000 are under the age of 15.
We further note that these procedures have no health benefits and is a harmful traditional practice and an act of violence against women and girls, constitutes a violation of their fundamental rights, particularly the right to personal security, physical and mental health and of their sexual and reproductive health and is an act of child abuse.
Such violations can under no circumstances be justified by respect for cultural or religious traditions or initiation ceremonies.
To date there has not been a single prosecution for this in 28 years within the UK for those responsible for perpetrating this horrific crime as opposed to a more proactive approach in France.
The Council asks the Leader and Chief Executive to ensure all council staff and members assist health and Social Care professionals in Oxfordshire, including Midwifes, Obstetricians, Nurses, Social Workers, Community Workers, Police, Crown Prosecution Service and Policy makers to work together to identify women and young girls who are at risk and to work in partnership to take effective action to bring to an end this barbaric practice.”
In the course of the debate, Councillor Woodcock proposed that the words “Teachers, School and Education Professionals” be added after “Crown Prosecution Service”.
Councillor Mallon, accepted the amendment.
The motion, as amended, was debated and subsequently agreed.
Resolved
That the following motion, as amended, be adopted:
Female Genital Mutilation
That this Council notes that it is estimated that up to 66,000 women and young girls in the UK have undergone Female Genital Mutilation, of this number 20,000 are under the age of 15.
We further note that these procedures have no health benefits and is a harmful traditional practice and an act of violence against women and girls, constitutes a violation of their fundamental rights, particularly the right to personal security, physical and mental health and of their sexual and reproductive health and is an act of child abuse.
Such violations can under no circumstances be justified by respect for cultural or religious traditions or initiation ceremonies.
To date there has not been a single prosecution for this in 28 years within the UK for those responsible for perpetrating this horrific crime as opposed to a more proactive approach in France.
The Council asks the Leader and Chief Executive to ensure all council staff and members assist health and Social Care professionals in Oxfordshire, including Midwifes, Obstetricians, Nurses, Social Workers, Community Workers, Police, Crown Prosecution Service, Teachers, School and Education professionals and Policy makers to work together to identify women and young girls who are at risk and to work in partnership to take effective action to bring to an end this barbaric practice.
(Councillors Mallon and Turner left the meeting for the duration of the following item)