'Why I gave up my corporate career to pursue mission of ending FGM around the world'

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In the latest episode of our interview series Ask A Woman, Julie Etchingham speaks to Julia Lalla-Maharajh, chief executive of Orchid Project, a charity she set up with the aim of creating a world free of female genital mutilation (FGM).

Julia founded the charity in 2011 after an 18-year career in the corporate sector, where she specialised in transport policy and communications. She decided to give up her 'large expense account and big corporate life' after volunteering in Ethiopia, learning about the practice of FGM, also known as female genital cutting (FGC). Julia was awarded an OBE for her work in 2017. On Thursday, ahead of International Women's Day on Friday, Prime Minister Theresa May has invited Julia to Downing Street to take part in a panel discussion on FGM.

Julia talks to Julie about the 'second life' she has lived since setting up the charity, and the moment where she decided she was going to change her life to tackle the issue.

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