An article in yesterday’s Guardian describes how Khadija, a 17-year old Somalian girl now living in the UK, is publicly speaking out against female genital mutilation (FGM.)

“…When I came to England I started to realise that the kind of tradition we were abiding by is not the path that human beings should follow,” she says.

While researching inspirational Somalians for a school assignment, Khadija learned about supermodel Waris Dirie, who wrote an international bestseller about her own experience of FGM.  The book was made into a film, Desert Flower.

Khadija says, “Waris Dirie inspired me to speak up at my school against FGM. My dream would be to meet her.”

Between 100 million and 140 million women and girls worldwide are affected by FGM, with an estimated 8,000 girls a day undergoing the procedure.

About 24,000 girls under the age of 15 in the UK are thought to be at risk of FGM. Another 66,000 have already experienced it.

Hopefully, Khadija’s and Waris Dirie’s message will spread. Read the full article here.