This document contains the traditional and local terms for Female Genital Mutilation by country and language. We recommend you ask the family what word they would use to describe FGM and you can use this document to help guide your discussion.
Profession: All Professionals
“What works and what does not: a discussion of popular approaches for the abandonment of female genital mutilation”
This paper is intended to contribute to the design of more effective interventions by assessing existing knowledge of what works and what does not and discusses some of the most common approaches that have been evaluated: health risk approaches, conversion of excisers, training of health professionals as change agents, alternative rituals, community-led approaches, public statements, and legal measures.
Global Prevalence of FGM
Information on the prevalence of FGM across the world including regional variations, legal contexts and high risk age groups. Our interactive map is one of the most popular pages on our site, used by professionals across the country. Click ‘Read More’ to go to the page.
FGM Protection Order: Data
Information on applications and FGM Protection Orders granted via Family Court Statistics.
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) – Frequently Asked Questions
A list of the most frequently asked questions on FGM.
Male Circumcision: London Safeguarding Children Board Child Protection Procedures
Guidance and procedures regarding male circumcision. Male circumcision is legal in the UK, if both parents agree, but this does not mean it cannot be a safeguarding issue.
The Serious Crime Act: 2015
Section 70(1) of the Serious Crime Act 2015 amends section 4 of the FGM Act 2003 to extend the extra-territorial powers of the law to further protect victims of FGM. It also introduces victim anonymity to victims of FGM similar to that of victims of sexual exploitation. The Serious Crime Act introduces civil measures to protect girls or women who have suffered or are believed to be at risk from FGM. It also introduces a mandatory reporting duty to report known cases of FGM that applies to all regulated professionals.
Female Genital Mutilation Act: 2003
Under the 2003 Act, a person is guilty of an offence if they excise, infibulate or otherwise mutilate the whole or any part of a girl’s or woman’s labia majora, labia minora or clitoris for non-medical reasons. Any person found guilty of an offence under the FGMAct is liable to a maximum penalty of 14 years imprisonment. The Act covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland and the nationality or residence status of the victim is irrelevant.
Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation (Scotland) Act 2005
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) has been unlawful in Scotland since 1985 by virtue of the Prohibition of Female Circumcision Act 1985. The 2005 Act re-enacts the existing offences in the 1985 Act, and extends protection by giving those offences extra-territorial effect in order to protect those being sent abroad to have FGM carried out.
Let’s talk about vaginas…FGM: The failure of international obligations and how to end an abusive cultural tradition
FGM is not related to any specific colour or religion, but to a patriarchal system. This article explores its history and culture, and explains that tackling the practice of FGM has been affected by estimated data and the failure to implement decades of international obligations.