Commission writes to the government about FGM (female genital mutilation) strategy, as two men face the first UK prosecution

The first British charges for FGM (female genital mutilation) were announced on 21 March 2014, in a landmark decision. In February, The Equality and Human Rights Commission wrote to Norman Baker, the Minister responsible for the government’s strategy to combat female genital mutilation (FGM), to express concern that current steps  are not sufficient and that a more robust approach is needed. What steps are you taking in your organisation to address FGM? For example, did you use Womens’ History Month to highlight action to end violence against women? Have you circulated guidelines to teaching staff? 

The first British charges for FGM were announced on 21 March 2014, in a landmark decision by one of Britain’s top prosecutors. Two people, one a doctor, will appear at Westminser Magistrates’ Court in April, accused of carrying out the crime against a woman in November 2012. This is the first time that criminal action has been taken, despite FGM being made illegal in 1985 via the Female Genital Mutilation Act.

In February, The Equality and Human Rights Commission wrote to Norman Baker, the Minister responsible for the government’s strategy to combat female genital mutilation (FGM), to express concern that current steps  are not sufficient, and that a more robust approach by the government is needed. Baroness O’Neill of Bengarve, Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission said: “Public authorities responsible for taking action on FGM should not be deterred by misplaced concerns around ‘cultural sensitivity’. FGM is a human rights abuse which can never be excused by reference to cultural practices… we need a properly implemented and enforced national strategy… which brings together all the appropriate authorities across the UK if we are to successfully tackle this human rights violation.”

In my March 2013 equality news update, I reported on the publication of an 11 year old girl’s letter to a charity asking for help to avoid female genital mutilation (FGM).  The charity published the letter, to help alert tutors to the importance of reporting suspicions of FGM.  I also highlighted new guidelines for front-line professionals such as teachers, to prevent and tackle FGM. The guidelines:

• explains the complex issues around female genital mutilation
• identify the signs that girls and women may be at risk or who are dealing with the consequences of FGM
• set out the actions that professionals should take, often in conjunction with other agencies, to protect girls and women and offer them the support they need

To download the guidelines, click here

The facts about female genital mutilation

• Female genital mutilation (FGM) includes procedures that intentionally alter or injure female genital organs for non-medical reasons.
• The procedure has no health benefits for girls and women.
• FGM is internationally recognised as a violation of the human rights of girls and women.
• An estimated 100 to 140 million girls and women worldwide are currently living with the consequences of FGM. It is mostly carried out on young girls sometimes between infancy and age 15 years.
• In Africa an estimated 92 million girls from 10 years of age and above have undergone FGM.
• Procedures can cause severe bleeding and problems urinating, and later potential childbirth complications and newborn deaths.

The Female Genital Mutilation Act was introduced in 2003 and came into effect in March 2004. The Act makes it illegal to practice FGM in the UK, and makes it illegal to take girls who are British nationals or permanent residents of the UK abroad for FGM whether or not it is lawful in that country. However, prosecutions are extremely rare, often because of difficulties in detecting cases and gathering evidence.

Women’s History Month in March was an ideal opportunity to highlight action to end violence against women. Violence against women can include human trafficking, forced marriage, sexual abuse, FGM and other forms of violation that particularly affect women and young girls. If you missed this opportunity, you can use November’s International Day of Elimination of Violence against Women to raise awareness and take a stand against this abuse of human rights.

You can read my March 2013 equality news update article here