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
4 results
Clear
3 Recommendation Not Addressed
7th Report - Female genital mutila…
Raise awareness among FGM survivors of consequences using Women's Health Hubs
The NHS should use Women’s Health Hubs, as well as other relevant points of contact such as sexual health services and sexual assault referral centres, to raise awareness among survivors of the potential consequences of FGM and the benefits of … Read more
Government Response
The government's response focuses on training professionals (police, teachers, healthcare staff) to identify and manage FGM cases and providing existing safeguarding guidance. It does not directly address using Women's Health Hubs to raise awareness among survivors about FGM consequences.
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8 Recommendation Not Addressed
7th Report - Female genital mutila…
Ensure FGM Support Clinics offer specialist counselling with clear referral pathways
The Government should ensure that all FGM Support Clinics offer specialist counselling support to FGM survivors in appropriate settings, provided by counsellors who are trained in the specific challenges of FGM. There should be clear referral pathways to this counselling … Read more
Government Response
The government describes existing FGM support clinics offering counselling and notes the expansion of NHS Talking Therapies with trauma-focused training. However, it does not specifically commit to ensuring all FGM Support Clinics offer specialist counselling by FGM-trained counsellors or establishing clear referral pathways from Women’s Health Hubs for this purpose.
Government Equalities Office
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21 Conclusion Not Addressed
7th Report - Female genital mutila…
School education on FGM is an essential and welcomed prevention method.
Education on FGM in schools is an essential means of preventing FGM. It can equip girls to advocate on behalf of themselves and to challenge prevailing orthodoxies on behalf of others. We welcome the current and future guidance on RHSE … Read more
Government Response
The government's response discusses commissioning of FGM services by ICBs, funding for campaigns and helplines, and engagement with grassroots organizations, none of which directly address the committee's observation about FGM education in schools.
Government Equalities Office
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32 Conclusion Not Addressed
7th Report - Female genital mutila…
Reduced ODA funding threatens global FGM programmes and increases risk for UK citizens.
The continued prevalence of FGM globally increases the risk of FGM to current and future UK citizens and residents. Supporting international efforts to end FGM through aid programmes and diplomacy helps the UK fulfil its international obligations to achieving Sustainable … Read more
Government Response
The government states that the FCDO's flagship FGM programme concludes in October 2026 with no plans for future funding. It notes that FGM is also addressed through wider Gender-Based Violence programming and that an Equality Impact Assessment on ODA allocations was published.
Government Equalities Office
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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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