FGM: UK's first female genital mutilation prosecutions announced

An offence was allegedly carried out by a doctor at the Whittington Hospital in London

The first UK prosecutions over female genital mutilation have been announced by the Crown Prosecution Service.

Dr Dhanuson Dharmasena, 31, of Ilford, east London, will be prosecuted for an alleged offence while working at the Whittington Hospital in London.
Hasan Mohamed, 40, of Holloway, north London, faces a charge of intentionally encouraging female genital mutilation.
Dr Dharmasena and Mr Mohamed will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 15 April.
'Sufficient evidence' In a statement, director of public prosecutions Alison Saunders said the CPS was asked by the Metropolitan Police to consider evidence in relation to an allegation of female genital mutilation (FGM).

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Female genital mutilation

• FGM includes procedures that alter or injure female genital organs for non-medical reasons
• About 140 million girls and women worldwide are living with the consequences of FGM
• Dangers include severe bleeding, problems urinating, infections, infertility, complications in childbirth and increased risk of death for newborns

Source: World Health Organisation

• Find out more from the WHO
• BBC ethics guide: Female circumcision

It was alleged that following a patient giving birth in November 2012, a doctor at the Whittington Hospital repaired female genital mutilation that had previously been performed on the woman, allegedly carrying out female genital mutilation himself.

Ms Saunders said: "Having carefully considered all the available evidence, I have determined there is sufficient evidence and it would be in the public interest to prosecute Dr Dhanuson Dharmasena for an offence contrary to S1 (1) of the Female Genital Mutilation Act (2003).
"I have also determined that Hasan Mohamed should face one charge of intentionally encouraging an offence of FGM, contrary to section 44(1) of the Serious Crime Act (2007), and a second charge of aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring Dr Dharmasena to commit an offence contrary to S1 (1) of the Female Genital Mutilation Act (2003).
"These decisions were taken in accordance with the code for crown prosecutors."
NHS trust Whittington Health, which runs the Whittington Hospital, said it had contacted police and started its own investigation when staff raised concerns following a birth in November 2012.
Misunderstanding The CPS has decided to take no further action in four other cases of alleged FGM.
In one of those cases it was alleged that two parents had arranged for their daughter to undergo female genital mutilation while abroad.
In another, a suspect contacted an FGM helpline to request the procedure for his two daughters after misunderstanding the purpose of the service for victims.
The CPS is currently considering whether to proceed with four other cases.
Prosecutors have also had discussions with police over investigations into two further cases, which are at an early stage.
'Unforgivable' The UK has in the past been compared unfavourably to other countries over the issue, such as France where there have been more than 100 successful prosecutions.

Specialist midwife on the impact FGM has on women

MPs have said it is "unforgivable" that there have been no UK prosecutions since laws against FGM were introduced nearly 30 years ago.
This was despite more than 140 referrals to police in the past four years.
The Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003 replaced a 1985 Act, in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, raising the maximum penalty from five to 14 years in prison.
It also made it an offence for UK nationals or permanent UK residents to carry out FGM abroad even in countries where it is legal.
Home Office minister James Brokenshire said the government had "stepped up its response" to "take this crime out of the shadows" and give victims the confidence to come forward.
He said the "key message" was that the government took FGM "extremely seriously".
Education Secretary Michael Gove is writing to every school in England to ask them to help protect girls from FGM.
credt: BBC NEWS

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Miscarriage risk linked to low IVF success

The study analysed 124,351 IVF pregnancies between 1991 and 2008

Women who produce fewer eggs during IVF treatment are more likely to miscarry, research suggests.

Scientists analysed 124,351 IVF pregnancies between 1991 and 2008.
About 20% of pregnancies in women who produced fewer than four eggs after the ovarian stimulation phase of IVF ended in miscarriage.
The research indicated the quality of the eggs in these cases was poorer - clinicians said this information would help them to counsel patients.

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The information will empower women”

Dr Sesh Sunkara Reproduction Unit, King's College London

IVF involves stimulating a patient's ovarian cycle, extracting eggs from their ovaries, fertilising them with sperm in a laboratory, then transferring the embryo into the womb to develop.

Ovarian surgery risk In the study, carried out at King's College London and the University of Birmingham, the miscarriage rate fell to 15.5% for women who produced between four and nine eggs, and 13.8% for those with between 10 and 14 eggs.
The average risk of miscarriage across the population is 15%.
The co-author of the research, Dr Sesh Sunkara from the Reproduction Unit at King's College London, said: "I think the information will empower women.
"IVF treatment can be a distressing experience, and miscarrying makes it even more agonising."
Dr Sunkara said the study could indicate new risk factors such as ovarian surgery, which could increase miscarriage risk if it lowered the number of eggs a woman produced.
The fact women with fewer eggs had more miscarriages indicated the quality of the eggs must be lower, she said, as it was through such eggs miscarriages happened.

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It is really devastating for women... you want to cry with them”

Prof Siobhan Quenby Professor of obstetrics, University of Warwick

Early menopause

Prof Neil McClure, professor in obstetrics and gynaecology at Queen's University, Belfast, said: "This study is vast in terms of its numbers, and reached a very logical conclusion."

He said reduced egg production was linked to a woman's age, as young women produced lots of healthy eggs, which decreased in number and quality with age.
Prof McClure said he thought the younger women in the study who produced fewer eggs did so because they were on the brink of an early menopause, which was "more common than we might think".
Women who had miscarried after IVF and were worried about miscarrying again could opt for an egg donor, he said, adding that cutting down on smoking and eating a healthy diet would also help.
Help for clinicians Prof Siobhan Quenby, professor of obstetrics at the University of Warwick, said: "It [the study] will be very helpful for me as I see a lot of people who have miscarried after IVF."
She said uncovering the link between low numbers of eggs and egg quality was important to inform people in deciding whether to carry out another round of IVF, which costs on average about £10,000 if done privately, or opt for an egg donor.
Prof Quenby added: "There is a lot of emotional trauma involved in miscarrying after IVF. It is really devastating for women who wait 10 years to have a baby and then with eight weeks to go they miscarry.
"You want to cry with them."

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Things every Irish parent says to their American kids

What sh*te do your Irish parents say on St. Patrick's Day? Photo by: EMPICS Sport

They may charm us with their clever wit year round but there's some key phrases that every child growing up in the US will defintiely hear from their Irish parents.
1. "Get up, we’ll be late for Mass!"
Ahem, Saint Patrick’s Day.

2. "How many sausages do you want?"
Long day ahead! Better line the stomach with a full Irish fry.

3. "Now, you do know who St. Patrick was, right?..."
Many Irish parents take the time on March 17th to explain St. Patrick’s importance to the history of Catholicism in Ireland. Yes they do.

4. "Ah, bring your jacket for the parade, you’ll freeze!"
Irish parents are never the ones to let their wee ones go cold, especially in unseasonably warm weather like 70 degrees this week.
5. "Did you see that one marching?"
She’s your father’s cousin’s husband’s sister’s aunt …
Everyone knows everyone in the Irish community; throw them all together in a parade and it becomes a sea of cousins!

6. "Jesus, it’s Galway, not Gaaaaalway."
American accents aren’t always so kind to Irish pronunciations, and most native Irish are never shy to point out.

7. "We’ll just pop in for a pint."
Which, of course, means an hours-long session at the local pub. Guinness, anyone?

8. "Corned beef and cabbage isn’t even Irish!"
The meal typically served on St. Patrick’s Day isn’t considered Irish by irish from Ireland. Opt instead for some spuds and beef stew -- that’ll keep ‘em happy..

9. "Will I put on the kettle?"
As if this is even a matter of discussion after a day parading and pubbing! Typical response Where’s the advil mom?

10. "Good craic, in fairness"

Yes, we had a great time. Reflect on the day spent with family and friends until the wee hours of the morning.

Got any more to add to the list?

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Suluhu Assembly Vice Chairperson

WINNER AND LOSER HUG: Amina Abdallah Amour (R), who lost yesterday�s race for the position of Constituent Assembly Vice Chairperson, hugs winner Samiah Suluhu Hassan in a show of solidarity notwithstanding the way the election went. The winner, who is Minister of State in the Vice President�s Office (Union Matters), garnered 390 votes to the loser�s 126. Our photographer captured the scene at the entrance to the House debating chamber in Dodoma yesterday, shortly after the results of the election were announced.

The Constituent Assembly (CA) yesterday elected Samia Hassan Suluhu as the Vice Chairperson.

 

Dr Thomas Kashilila the Returning Officer announced Suluhu as the winner, saying she scooped 390 of the 523 votes cast during the elections conducted yesterday evening.

 

Her opponent Amina Abdallah Amour from the Civic United Front (CUF) scooped 126 votes which is equivalent to 24.1 percent of the ballots. Void ballots were seven, said Dr Kashilila.

 

According to the Constitution Review Act when the chairperson hails from one part of the Union, the vice chairperson shall come from the other part of the republic. 

 

Before the elections, the interim chair, Pandu Ameir Kificho provided the candidates with three minutes each to campaign for the seat.

 

In her manifesto, Amina Abdallah Amour said she holds a Masters Degree for Finance and a Diploma in Law. She is a Member of Parliament and has worked with National Bank of Commerce (NBC) for 23 years.

 

Samia Hassan Suluhu said she is a graduate of MBA on Economic Community Development and has been a Member of Parliament for 14 years and throughout the period she has been serving as a minister in the United Republic of Tanzania and Zanzibar. 

  

Suluhu promised to give chance to youths to contribute to constitution debates in order to ensure that their views are incorporated. “I have learned a lot from the outgoing chair. I will use his wisdom and my experience to ensure smooth writing of the Mother Law,” she said.

 

She however said that as the minister responsible for union affairs she has managed to reduce the union challenges from 13 to only one. 

 

“I am now dealing with the remaining economic challenge after finding solution to the rest,” Suluhu insisted.

 

The chairperson and his vice will be sworn in today morning followed by other members of the assembly.

 

Meanwhile newly elected Constituent Assembly (CA) Chairman Samwel Sitta has pledged to give daily reports to the media and to also prepare special documentaries to be aired on radio and television to increase public awareness of the House proceedings.

 

The veteran politician and member of the ruling party Chamma cha Mapinduzi (CCM) mid this week defeated Hashimu Rungwe from opposition party Chama Cha Ukombozi wa Umma (CHAUMA) securing 487 votes over the contender who settled for 69 votes.

 

The new Chair also pledged to give more voice to the 201 members of the CA appointed by the President noting that those from the House of Representatives and MPs have so far dominated the House discussions.

 

Speaking outside the debate chambers after his outstanding win, Sitta also said that he would give more time to the members to further deliberate on  what he described as ‘the tricky sections 37 and 38 of the endorsed regulations.’

 

"If we are to get a constitution that represents the collective will of the people then the voice of the 201 members must be also heard ", he noted.

Sitta made it clear that he is determined to ensure that the deliberations are transparent and again reinforced his commitment to make certain that the opinions of all groups of people are represented and heard.

 

In the wake of his election, Members of the Constituent Assembly (CA) have expressed unanimous overwhelming confidence in the newly elected Chairman, applauding the outgoing interim chair, Pandu Ameir Kificho for a job well done having managed to lead the house even before the Standing Orders were in place.

 

Hamuod Jumaa, a Member of Parliament for Kibaha Rural is of the opinion that Sitta will strengthen democracy in the House especially during debates by giving equal opportunity to the members without any biasness.

 

A representative of persons with disabilities, Amon Mpanju who is a member of the CA Technical committee seconded the view expressing confidence in the new Chair to give equal representation to all groups.

 

 Monduli Member of Parliament and former Prime Minister, Edward Lowassa cemented the confidence and trust in Sitta. He too is of the opinion that the new Chairman of the CA will spearhead the draft review in a fair and just manner.

 

"He is experienced and given his speed and standard philosophy, Tanzanians can rest assured he will guide the members to productive discussions that will see the country attain a fully inclusive Mother Law that will reflect the will of the people,” Lowassa said.

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EAC moves to ease payments system

EAC Secretary General Dr Richard Sezibera

Transactions within the East African Community states are set to become faster and  easier following the launch of the EAC Payment and Settlement Systems Project (EAC-PSSIP).

 

The project was launched here yesterday by the EAC Secretariat and the African Development Bank (AfDB). 

 

The major objective of the project is to broaden and deepen the financial sector by the integration of the regional financial market infrastructure and facilitating cross border fund transfers.The project is also aimed at supporting the economies of the region and providing outreach to rural areas in order to encourage greater participation in the formal financial sector.

The five central banks of the EAC partner states will facilitate the implementation of the project, which is expected to speed up payment system in the region.

 

Speaking at the launch of the project Dr Natu el-Maamry Mwamba, who is the Bank of Tanzania’s deputy governor (In-charge of Economic and Financial Policies), said the project takes East Africans to the next level of regional integration.

 

She said from now on East African traders and ordinary citizens, will be required to use their local currencies when doing transactions within the region.

 

“This project gives room for traders and ordinary people to easily carry out business using currencies of their countries,” she elaborated.

 

For his part, EAC Secretary General Dr Richard Sezibera said the project is a major factor in deepening the integration of the region’s financial sector.

 

“Functioning payment and settlement systems represent a basic infrastructure for the functioning of market economies. This is because they provide effective mechanisms for the exchange of money between transacting parties; ensure finality and irrevocability of both payment and settlement; enables management, reduction and containment of systemic and other payment related risks and facilitate implementation of monetary 

policy,” he said.

 

In a speech, read on his behalf by EAC Deputy Secretary General (Planning and Infrastructure), Dr Enos Bukuku, the SG said the project is geared to see the development of sound payment and settlement systems within the region. 

 

“This will also facilitate the integration of EAC economies into single monetary area through efficient means of understanding payments within the region,” he said.

 

Dr Sezibera further noted that the trading bloc envisages a wider outlook which will include achieving collaboration on addressing any existing infrastructure weaknesses within the region’s financial integration space.

 

AfDB representative, Jacob Mukete said the project is expected to facilitate the transition to a single integrated financial system and enable the processing and settlement of payment obligations in a timely manner, enhance accountability, minimise errors and facilitate the development of innovative financial products while better managing risks.

 

“This is an important project as it will support the development of central securities depositories and core banking platforms in the EAC Partner States,” he added.

 

According to Mukeke, the project also supports capacity building in specific areas of payment and settlement systems for relevant stakeholders in the region such as judges and judicial officers at the East African Court of Justice and relevant members of East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) in the legislative support required for payment and settlement systems, commercial law and enforcement of collateral.

 

Kenya’s Central Bank Governor, Prof Njuguna Ndung’u noted that the project will modernise, harmonise and create a regional integration of payments and settlement systems.

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