More on Tackling FGM initiative
News
FGM initiative interim report published
Tackling FGM initiative launched
Read a first person account of Female Genital Mutilation in the UK and abroad
As part of this collaborative initiative between three funders - the Trust, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and Rosa - the UK fund for women and girls, Options UK has been commissioned to undertake an independent evaluation. The first stage of the process was to gather insights into attitudes and behaviours of practising communities relating to FGM by asking the funded project to undertake qualitative peer research. The research highlights some issues and makes recommendations about how these should be taken forward as part of the initiative. A Summary and Full Report of the research are now available.
Evaluation
Options UK have been commissioned to undertake an independent evaluation over the three years. In addition to evaluating the outcomes of the initiative and the individual projects, Options will also be providing technical monitoring and evaluation support and organising 6-monthly learning seminars with the projects to enhance the learning from the work and to share experience. Options will also be training volunteers from the projects to undertake a Peer evaluation. This will provide some baseline information about attitudes and behaviour towards FGM, within the target communities.
The interim evaluation report was published in October 2011. Download The FGM initiative - Interim Report.pdf
Advisory Group
The initiative's Advisory Group members include:
Kanwal Ahluwalia - Plan International
Leethen Bartholomew - Community Partnership Advisor, LB Hackney
Maggie Baxter (Chair) - Trustee, Rosa
Hannah Buckley - Cross Government FGM Co-ordinator
Asha-Kin Duale - Community Partnership Advisor, Voluntary Action Camden
Felicity Fairbairn - Trustee, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation
Leyla Hussein - Consultant
Jackie Mathers - Designated Nurse for Safeguarding Children, Bristol PCT
Jason Morgan - Detective Constable, Project Azure - Metropolitan Police
Trust for London staff: Sioned Churchill, supported by Douglas Gunn
About Female Genital Mutilation
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), otherwise known as Female Circumcision or Female Genital Cutting, is the partial or total removal of any part of the female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs whether for cultural or any other non-therapeutic reason.
FGM is a very old and complex practice, and its origins are unknown. It predates Christianity and Islam, and neither the Qu'ran nor the Bible mention female circumcision.
There are four named types of circumcision which girls/women undergo depending on which country or tribe they are from and range from Type 1 to Type V1 depending on the extent of the procedure.
The UK Prohibition of "Female Circumcision" Act (1985) makes it an offence to carry out or to aid, abet or procure the performance by another person, of any form of FGM, except for specific medical purposes. Further legislation, the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003, makes it an offence for FGM to be performed anywhere on UK nationals or UK permanent residents of all ages. The 2003 legislation carries a maximum sentence of 14 years imprisonment or a fine or both. To date, no prosecutions have been made under the UK legislation although two doctors have been found guilty of serious professional misconduct by the General Medical Council.
More detailed background is available to download as a PDF