More on Tackling FGM initiative
News
Midwives may routinely start raising the issue of FGM
Tackling FGM initiative launched
Read a first person account of FGM in the UK and abroad
FGM initiative first interim report published
FGM initiative second interim summary report and full report published
Report on what it will take to end FGM in the UK.
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 first interim evaluation report was published in October 2011. Download here
The second interim evaluation report was published in September 2012. Download the summary report here. Download the full report here.
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