7th Report - Female genital mutilation
Select Committee
Women and Equalities Committee
HC 714
12 September 2025
Government response
7th Special Report - Female genital mutilation: Government Response · published 2 Dec 2025
Recommendations & Conclusions
4 results
3
Recommendation
Not Addressed
Raise awareness among FGM survivors of consequences using Women's Health Hubs
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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.
Government Equalities Office
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8
Recommendation
Not Addressed
Ensure FGM Support Clinics offer specialist counselling with clear referral pathways
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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
School education on FGM is an essential and welcomed prevention method.
Conclusion
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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
Reduced ODA funding threatens global FGM programmes and increases risk for UK citizens.
Conclusion
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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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