The European Union must do more to address the problem of female genital mutilation, say members of the European Parliament and leading health and development agencies.

The Donors Working Group on Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM) - a network of public and private international agencies campaigning against the practice - and members of the European Parliament (MEPs) are urging the European Commission to increase its financial commitment to stop the practice of FGM, also known as female circumcision.

Meeting at a two-day conference at the European Parliament last week, the working group which includes the World Health Organisation (WHO), the World Bank and the UN Children's Fund (Unicef) renewed its commitment for closer donor co-ordination, and called on the EU executive to work for the same.