Valerie raised FGM in DFID questions

On Wednesday 18 March 2015 Valerie raised the issue of Female Genital Mutilation during International Development questions.

Valerie asked:

“Could the Minister go further and make it a condition of aid that these countries eliminate these appalling practices.”

The Secretary of State replied:

“One of the things we have been careful to do is work with the momentum of many countries in Africa. One of the biggest challenges I think we have is that if tackling FGM is seem as a western Agenda. So I think its right that we press countries and work with them, we should also be prepared to work at the grassroots level community groups if we can’t get political will. But she is absolutely right to say that in the end political will is needed if we are to make significant progress.”