Preliminary Brief for Zero Tolerance to FGM

FGM sits within the UK’s violence against women and girls agenda and is increasingly grouped under “honour-based abuse” alongside forced marriage. The latest cross-government strategy, Freedom from Violence and Abuse, sets an ambition to halve violence against women and girls within a decade, but makes very little mention of FGM.

Our Preliminary Brief for Zero Tolerance to FGM is a stark reminder that when FGM is sidelined, survivors are sidelined.

Despite being a criminal offence in the UK under the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003, thousands of women and girls remain at risk. Zero tolerance must mean zero invisibility.

“We are calling for robust cross-sector collaboration, better data, and equitable care to ensure women and girls in the UK are protected from FGM and adequately supported.”

FGM is not a cultural issue. It is a human rights violation. If the ambition is to halve violence against women and girls, FGM must not be left behind.

Read the full brief and join us in demanding action.