A speech from Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) survivors will take place this weekend as part of the E17 Art Trail.

Artist and illustrator Emma Scutt has painted portraits of three survivors to tell their 'powerful, individual stories through pictures and words'. 

Hibo Wardere was a victim of FGM at the age of seven and moved from Mogadishu, Somalia, to the UK 25 years ago where she has become a campaigner against the practise.

Ms Wardere and the other women in the portraits Leyla Hussein and Alimatu Dimonekene will hold an informal Q&A about FGM at St Barnabas Church in St Barnabas Road, Walthamstow.

Emma Scutt said: "Their stories may be difficult to hear, but they must be heard if the practice of FGM is to be successfully eradicated.

"There are 66,000 women and girls living with the terrible consequences of FGM in Britain. And with an estimated 24,000 girls at risk of mutilation today, each of these women that I’ve portrayed has set out on a personal mission to eradicate FGM in the UK.

"My hope is that in my own small way, this exhibition will help to educate by drawing people in to read and learn more about FGM."

Their speeches will start promptly at 4pm on Saturday (May 30).

The E17 Art Trail sees 250 exhibitions pop over all over Walthamstow between May 30 and June 14.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

Hibo Wardere sat for a portrait as part of E17 art trail (Emma Scutt)