Fundraiser for Olayinka's campaign against female genital mutilation

I Stand Against Female Genital Mutilation

A fundraiser is being held for 16-year-old Olayinka Olatunde to raise funds for the family’s legal costs and raise awareness on female genital mutilation (FGM).

Olayinka currently lives in Rochdale and is fighting against deportation back to her native country Nigeria.

If forced to return here she may be forced to undergo FGM, part of cultural tradition within her father’s family and tribe in Nigeria.

In conjunction with the Rochdale branch of the National Union of Teachers, there will be a fundraising event held on 18 August between 11am and 4pm at The Falinge Community Hub in Rochdale.

People are invited to attend the event to show support for Olakinka and her family and the campaign.

Olayinka and her family were forced to flee Nigeria three years ago following attempts to force the procedure on her by her father's family.

Olayinka’s elder sister (her mother Abiola’s first child) was born in Nigeria and died in 1992, aged eight, after being forced to undergo FGM. When Abiola had Olayinka, she was terrified that the same could happen to her second daughter as well.

Even after moving to another part of Nigeria on police advice, they were tracked down by the father’s family. Olayinka and her family saw no option left but to flee to the UK to seek asylum.

Their asylum application was refused in June last year and, in July, Olayinka took an overdose saying she would prefer to die rather than return to Nigeria.

RAPAR Press Officer, Kath Grant, said: “We are hoping that a fresh claim will be put in for the case, but we’re not sure when that will be.

“The solicitor is still working on it.”

Those involved in the campaign will be handing out leaflets on Saturday 3 August in Rochdale town centre to raise awareness of the event.