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Call the Midwife praised for tackling controversial storyline

The team behind the hit period drama have been commended for their sensitive portrayal of the complicated issue.
Call the Midwife

Call the Midwife

Warning: Contains soap spoilers many viewers may wish to avoid.

TV soaps often get a bad rep for being frivolous and melodramatic, but many dramas actually raise important issues that wouldn’t be discussed otherwise.

Call the Midwife has a whole host of awards thanks to its subtlety crafted characters, stellar storyline and sensitive handling of difficult topics.

And now the British born drama, that focuses on a group of midwives living in post-war East London, has been praised for yet another successful storyline.

https://twitter.com/Jon_fromWales/status/835951724905005056

And while Kiwi audiences will have to wait a while to catch up with the soap, the new storyline that focuses around the horrific practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is already gathering award tips from overseas.

More than 8.5 million tuned into watch the latest episode, with many users calling the coverage of FGM “brave” and “impressive.”

Michelle Finney wrote: “Bravo @CallTheMidwife1 @BBCOne for tackling issue of #FGM. Brilliant and brave storylines every week.”

Meanwhile user Mck_scribe said: “BBC’s #callthemidwife was unbelievably powerful. Storylines on female genital mutilation & depression discussed with nuanced sensitivity.”

“Trixie in #callthemidwife in 1962: “the world never learns does it” still appropriate in 2017,” tweeted Abi Broad.

Comedian Caitlin Moran called the episode “important TV,” while writer Sarah Doran said it confirmed the show as one of the nation’s “most powerful dramas.”

The episode was followed up by tweets from the NSPCC and the NHS, offering practical advice and support for anyone effected by the episode.

https://twitter.com/zosiasfranklin/status/835950180788756480

Here in New Zealand, there is no documented evidence of FGM being practiced. However, with the growing number of migrants and refugees coming from countries that practice FGM, it’s not outside the realms of possibility that some women arriving here will have already undergone the procedure.

The practice is illegal in New Zealand, as is the act of sending a child abroad with the intention of FGM.

You can read more on the New Zealand FGM website here.

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