Female MPs from different parties have joined together to tighten-up New Zealand’s laws on female genital mutilation. The group of women who have put together a joint members bill are National MP Jo Hayes, NZ First MP Jenny Marcroft, Labour MP Priyanca Radhakrishnan and Golriz Ghahraman from the Greens.

FGM is illegal in New Zealand, but the law has some loopholes, which this new bill aims to close.

NZ First MP Jenny Marcroft

Their joint Member’s Bill will outlaw FGM in all circumstances.

[…] It’s the first time in history a Member’s Bill will be sponsored by more than one MP, taking advantage of a new rule will mean the bill is guaranteed to get debated. 

Labour MP Priyanca Radhakrishnan

[…] the bill is likely to get it’s first reading before Christmas.

stuff.co.nz/national/health/117413533/mps-band-together-for-female-genital-mutilation-ban
Green MP Golriz Ghahraman

A contribution from The BFD staff.