Female genital mutilation (FGM)

Women and Equalities Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 31 Jan 2025 Closed: 27 Apr 2026 Parliament page
The Women and Equalities Committee (WEC) will hold a session in Parliament on Wednesday, 5 March to look at the prevalence and impact of female genital mutilation (FGM) in the UK and to examine the work of the UK Government to prevent FGM and to address the health consequences of survivors of FGM.
18 Recommendations
15 Conclusions
1 Report
1 Oral session
7 Letters
1 Event
Activity timeline 11 events
18 Dec
2025
Correspondence
2 Dec
2025
Report published
2 Dec
2025
Correspondence
17 Oct
2025
Correspondence
12 Sep
2025
Report published
25 Mar
2025
Correspondence
19 Mar
2025
Correspondence
19 Mar
2025
Correspondence
19 Mar
2025
Correspondence
5 Mar
2025
Oral evidence
5 Mar
2025
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 6, Palace of Westminster
Oral evidence sessions 1 session
5 Mar 2025
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Women and Equalities Committee
Aissa Edon · FGM Hope Clinic Angela Craggs · National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) Gillian Squires Retd. Det. Con (W Midlands Police) · Honour Me Ltd Grainne Boyle · NSPCC Janet Fyle MBE · Royal College of Midwives Juliet Albert · Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust Professor Hassan Shehata · Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) Valerie Lolomari · Women of Grace UK
Title HC No. Published Items Response
7th Report - Female genital mutilation HC 714 12 Sep 2025 33 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
22 results
Clear
1 Conclusion Accepted
7th Report - Female genital mutila…
FGM survivors often lack awareness of long-term health complications and care needs
Survivors of female genital mutilation (FGM) experience profound physical, emotional and psychosexual consequences and require specialised care and support to manage these impacts. Despite this, survivors may not be aware that the health complications they experience are a consequence of … Read more
Government Response
The government committed to the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) developing a research call into FGM survivors' awareness of long-term health implications, with a timeline for advertisement aimed by the end of the year.
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2 Conclusion Accepted
7th Report - Female genital mutila…
Inconsistent FGM survivor services and poor referral pathways create postcode lottery
Services for FGM survivors and access to them remains inconsistent across the UK. While some variation in access to services may be expected in line with local prevalence, there is a lack of effective referral pathways. This has created a … Read more
Government Response
The government describes existing FGM support clinics and NHS services, noting ICBs commission pathways based on local populations, which inherently leads to variation. It states NHS Talking Therapies are being expanded, with trained therapists for trauma, but does not commit to specific actions to improve national consistency or referral pathways for FGM services.
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4 Recommendation Accepted
7th Report - Female genital mutila…
Ensure all FGM survivors access timely, essential support and specialist care nationwide
The Government should ensure that all FGM survivors can access the essential support and care they need in a timely manner. While some variation in service provision may be necessary to reflect local prevalence rates, higher-prevalence areas should offer funded … Read more
Government Response
The government describes existing FGM support clinics and NHS services, stating that Integrated Care Boards commission services based on local needs, which accounts for variation. It notes that some high-prevalence areas use Women’s Health Hubs and that NHS Talking Therapies are being expanded, but does not commit to new actions to ensure universal access or establish specific multidisciplinary services or clear referral pathways as recommended.
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5 Conclusion Accepted
7th Report - Female genital mutila…
Lack of data and precarious funding for FGM services causing reduced focus
There is a notable lack of data on spending on FGM services but evidence to this Committee indicates that funding for FGM services may have reduced and remains precarious. There are also concerns that the integration of FGM services within … Read more
Government Response
The government committed to convening a Ministerial roundtable with relevant departments to explore improved prevention and prosecution efforts against FGM, and detailed new Crown Prosecution Service actions like National Scrutiny Panels to strengthen oversight and governance of FGM cases.
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6 Recommendation Accepted
7th Report - Female genital mutila…
Ensure sufficient funding, publish spending, and collect data on FGM survivor services
Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) should ensure sufficient funding is available to meet local demand for services tailored to the needs of FGM survivors. Spending on FGM services should be published and data collected at a local and national level to … Read more
Government Response
The government states ICBs are already responsible for commissioning FGM services and have local demand understanding via the FGM Enhanced Dataset. However, it notes that disaggregating spending on FGM services for publication is often not possible due to services sitting within broader care.
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9 Conclusion Accepted
7th Report - Female genital mutila…
FGM survivors experience shame in healthcare due to inadequate cultural sensitivity training.
Evidence suggests some FGM survivors are experiencing shame or humiliation in healthcare settings, reducing the likelihood of them engaging further with healthcare services essential to their physical and mental wellbeing. Training for midwives and healthcare professionals is not mandatory and … Read more
Government Response
The government states that all healthcare staff must complete mandatory safeguarding training focusing on FGM and that a national e-learning module for FGM is being refreshed for publication in 2026. This refreshed training will promote sensitive communication and help professionals effectively support survivors.
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10 Recommendation Accepted
7th Report - Female genital mutila…
Mandate comprehensive FGM training for healthcare professionals, including cultural sensitivity and signposting.
FGM training should be made mandatory for midwives and other healthcare professionals working in services where they are likely to encounter FGM survivors. That training should include how to treat survivors with appropriate sensitivity. Staff working in FGM Specialist Clinics … Read more
Government Response
The government states that all healthcare staff must complete safeguarding training including FGM, and an FGM e-learning module is being refreshed for 2026 to ensure sensitive, trauma-informed responses and clear referral pathways. NHS England and DHSC will develop a communications plan to encourage uptake of this training.
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11 Conclusion Accepted
7th Report - Female genital mutila…
FGM survivors are often unaware of interpretation rights and face unsuitable interpreter services.
FGM survivors are not consistently being made aware that they are entitled to interpretation services. However, interpretation services that are available can be unsuitable and interpreters can lack the necessary 42 proficiency to advocate on behalf of survivors. This can … Read more
Government Response
The government states that ICBs and NHS Providers are responsible for ensuring translation and interpretation services are available and culturally sensitive. NHS England will ask ICBs to share the working definition of trauma-informed practice with their translation providers to improve support for FGM survivors.
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13 Conclusion Accepted
7th Report - Female genital mutila…
Government obstructs FGM reconstructive surgery by failing to fund necessary research.
Many women who have undergone FGM seek reconstructive surgery to reverse FGM as far as possible. It is clear that the NHS is equipped to perform this surgery as it delivers it for other medical conditions. We acknowledge that the … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees this is an important research area, with the National Institute for Health and Care Research developing a call for proposals into FGM reconstructive surgery effectiveness and aiming to advertise a timeline by year-end.
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14 Recommendation Accepted
7th Report - Female genital mutila…
Fund urgent research into FGM reconstructive surgery effectiveness, with NHS provision if proven beneficial.
The Government should facilitate and fund research into the effectiveness of reconstructive surgery for FGM survivors as a matter of priority. If evidence indicates that the surgery is effective, then the NHS should provide it. (Recommendation, Paragraph 44) Estimating the … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees with the recommendation to research FGM reconstructive surgery effectiveness, with the National Institute for Health and Care Research developing a call for proposals and aiming to advertise a timeline by the end of the year.
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15 Conclusion Accepted
7th Report - Female genital mutila…
Government lacks up-to-date, localised data on FGM prevalence, hindering effective service delivery.
To tackle FGM and be able to provide services based on need, the Government, local authorities and healthcare providers need to understand the prevalence of FGM within the UK. The most recent study on FGM prevalence in England and Wales … Read more
Government Response
The government is conducting a study to test the viability of producing a national FGM prevalence estimate, with work already underway. NHS England also operates an FGM Enhanced Dataset which is being amended to improve data quality and completeness to support national and local policy and service planning.
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16 Recommendation Accepted
7th Report - Female genital mutila…
Commission urgent research into UK FGM prevalence and ensure NHS records vital data consistently.
The Government should immediately commission research into the number of women with FGM in the UK, including on prevalence within local areas. It must make this data accessible so that local authorities and health providers can provide their services accordingly. … Read more
Government Response
The government has initiated a study to assess the viability of a national prevalence estimate for FGM and is working to complete it. The NHS already collects and publishes data on FGM, including country of birth, through its Enhanced Dataset, which is currently undergoing amendments to improve data quality.
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22 Conclusion Accepted
7th Report - Female genital mutila…
Community education, involving influential leaders, effectively challenges FGM beliefs and raises awareness.
Education among communities can be an effective tool in challenging the beliefs that fuel FGM and in raising awareness of the serious health impacts of FGM. The effectiveness of these campaigns is likely to be increased when influential people within … Read more
Government Response
The government will deliver a campaign with a specific focus on FGM through specialist organisations and community experts, and has launched an 'Honour'-Based Abuse sector engagement group to collaborate with grassroots organisations on policy development.
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23 Recommendation Accepted
7th Report - Female genital mutila…
Fund tailored community-led education programmes to challenge cultural beliefs driving FGM.
The Government and local authorities should fund community-led education programmes to challenge the cultural and social beliefs that drive FGM. These programmes must be tailored to reflect the specific drivers of FGM within different communities. Education must include the health … Read more
Government Response
The government is unable to comment on future spending but announced a community engagement campaign on 'honour'-based abuse, including FGM, to be launched in August 2025 through specialist organisations. It also established an HBA sector engagement group and part-funds relevant helplines.
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24 Recommendation Accepted
7th Report - Female genital mutila…
A balance between FGM prevention and prosecution is crucial, rejecting cultural sensitivities.
While some FGM survivors and campaigners believe more needs to be done to secure convictions against perpetrators of FGM, others believe a strong focus on criminalisation can hinder efforts to engage with communities to prevent FGM and support FGM survivors. … Read more
Government Response
The government will convene a Ministerial roundtable with relevant departments to explore improving FGM prevention and prosecution efforts and multi-agency working. The CPS has also developed an Action Plan, including National Scrutiny Panels and a multi-agency conference, to strengthen oversight and update FGM case protocols.
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25 Recommendation Accepted
7th Report - Female genital mutila…
Review police and CPS strategies to increase FGM prosecution rates alongside prevention efforts.
The Government should continue to adopt an approach that looks at prevention and prosecution by funding and engaging with prevention efforts in local communities. Alongside this work, criminal justice agencies should review police intervention and CPS prosecution strategies with a … Read more
Government Response
The government will jointly convene a Ministerial roundtable to explore improving FGM prevention and prosecution efforts and multi-agency working, though it cannot comment on spending beyond March 2026. The Crown Prosecution Service has also developed an Action Plan, including National Scrutiny Panels and a multi-agency conference, to strengthen oversight and update protocols for prosecuting FGM cases.
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26 Conclusion Accepted
7th Report - Female genital mutila…
Low FGM safeguarding referrals due to professionals' lack of confidence and training.
Evidence suggests that safeguarding referrals are low. Professionals often lack the confidence to ask questions and get the necessary information from the families of the women and girls affected. Some professionals may also be reluctant to ask questions due to … Read more
Government Response
The government states that all professionals with safeguarding responsibilities, including healthcare staff, receive mandatory FGM training. It commits to refreshing a national e-learning module by 2026 to promote sensitive communication and ensure professionals are equipped to identify and support FGM survivors, also reviewing broader safeguarding guidance.
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27 Recommendation Accepted
7th Report - Female genital mutila…
Ensure professionals receive adequate training to confidently ask FGM questions and increase referrals.
The Government should ensure that professionals, such as teachers and healthcare professionals, are adequately trained to feel confident to ask questions around female genital mutilation in order to increase the number 45 of successful safeguarding referrals for FGM. This training … Read more
Government Response
The government outlines existing multi-agency guidance and e-learning for professionals. It commits to refreshing the e-Learning for Healthcare FGM Module for publication in 2026 and reviewing "Working Together" guidance to potentially strengthen FGM wording, thereby addressing the call for improved training.
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28 Conclusion Accepted
7th Report - Female genital mutila…
Border monitoring for FGM prevention requires improved training, follow-up, and inter-agency communication.
Border monitoring is an effective mechanism for preventing FGM being carried out on UK citizens and residents taken abroad. However, evidence suggests that monitoring could be made better through improved training of border officials, better follow-up of suspected cases, and … Read more
Government Response
The government highlights existing, regularly reviewed and updated training for Border Force officials, including mandatory e-learning, and ongoing joint operations like 'Operation LIMELIGHT' and the Forced Marriage Unit's outreach programmes to address FGM.
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29 Recommendation Accepted
7th Report - Female genital mutila…
Provide FGM training to border officials and foster inter-departmental engagement for effective case monitoring.
The Home Office should ensure that border officials have sufficient training on FGM to ensure they can identify potential cases and intervene when necessary. There should also be close engagement between departments, such as the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, … Read more
Government Response
The government states that Border officials already receive training, including mandatory e-learning, to identify and deal with FGM risks, and this training is regularly reviewed. Joint operations are ongoing, and the Forced Marriage Unit provides support and training to frontline professionals, including border officials.
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30 Conclusion Accepted
7th Report - Female genital mutila…
FGM Protection Order usage remains low despite their effectiveness and high risk of FGM.
FGM Protection Orders (FGMPOs) can be an effective way of supporting FGM survivors and preventing FGM. Although the data on FGM protection orders is incomplete, the number of FGMPOs appears low, especially when compared to estimations of the number of … Read more
Government Response
Acknowledging FGM Protection Orders (FGMPOs) as a vital tool, the government commits to working with the Department for Education and other departments to ensure these orders are well understood and promoted to victims.
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31 Recommendation Accepted
7th Report - Female genital mutila…
Encourage FGM Protection Order use by increasing awareness among children's social services.
The Ministry of Justice should encourage the use of FGMPOs by working with the Department for Education to increase awareness among children’s social services of FGMPOs and the criteria needed to obtain one. We welcome the MoJ’s plans to ensure … Read more
Government Response
The government will work with the Department for Education and other departments to ensure FGM Protection Orders are well understood and promoted. It also notes that FGMPO data is already published quarterly and existing guidance is available for professionals.
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Government Response AI assessment · 33 of 18 classified
Accepted 22
Accepted in Part 4
Deferred 2
Not Addressed 4
Rejected 1
Total 18 recs + 15 conclusions
Correspondence 7 letters
18 Dec 2025 Correspondence from the Minister of State for International Development and Africa regarding Aid spending on ending FGM, dated December 2025
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2 Dec 2025 Correspondence to Minister of State (Intl Development and Africa) Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, re Aid spending on ending FGM, dated 28.11.2025
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17 Oct 2025 To committee Corres. with Chief Scientific Advisor, DHSC & Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. Response from Baroness Merron, re Reconstructive surgery for FGM survivors, dated 8.10.2025
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25 Mar 2025 Correspondence from Rt Hon Wes Streeting MP, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, re Female genital mutilation, dated 20 March 2025
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19 Mar 2025 Correspondence from Rt Hon Baroness Chapman of Darlington, Minister of State for Development, FCDO, re Female genital mutilation, dated 5 March 2025
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19 Mar 2025 Correspondence from Jess Phillips, Minister for Safeguarding and VAWG, re FGM, dated 5 March 2025
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19 Mar 2025 Correspondence from Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson, Secretary of State for Education, re FGM, dated 10 March 2025
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