Laura Dowling

Not many African countries.

And then, you know, with the movement of people over generations, you have then acts being performed throughout Europe and throughout the world.

There was a case in Ireland a number of years ago, wasn't there?

Yeah.

Yeah, which is terrifying.

And how do you eradicate while also respecting a culture?

I mean, in my eyes, there are two very different things, but education is the absolute key there.

And not just to the young girl that it's been done to, it's the cohort of men and women around them that believe this is a rite of passage.

And in some cultures, it's believed as being a cleaner way of living.

But ultimately, in many reports that I read or speaking to victims and survivors of it, it is to remove the enjoyment of sex.

Yeah, we have issues across the board, not to step away from FGM, but like we're working on a report right now around women health policies in Europe and like the underinvestment in funding and just research on, and I know we spoke about it briefly, like cardiovascular health care,

In this day and age, if you go out and you get CPR for stage training, like more than likely you're only seeing one mannequin, not two.

And reports are telling us that if I'm John and I pop off and I see Mary lying on the ground having a cardiac issue.

I feel uncomfortable giving her CPR because of her breasts or because of her, well, the only breasts that would be in that feature.

And you don't want to be deemed sexualizing anything.

And then that person dies because we do not have the skill set to treat.

a person with cardiovascular health care or cardiovascular issues experience on the ground.

And I'm always conscious of my language because you're the professional here, not me.

But it's wild to me.

I did a little bit of work with Esker House, a beautiful group of women who provide refuge and safety for women experiencing domestic violence in the Midlands.