1. 1
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a destructive procedure performed on girls and
women, which causes serious harm to their physical and mental health, sometimes
leading to death. Recognised internationally as a violation of human rights, the practice
is illegal in numerous countries, including the UK. So why is the UK failing to prevent
FGM, punish perpetrators and support victims within its borders? Why hasn’t policy
worked and how can the UK support real change?
Why is FGM practiced?
The objective of Female Genital Mutilation is to
inhibit a woman’s sexual feelings. It is thought this
will hinder sexual activity before marriage and
extra-marital relations.
Perpetuation of the practice however, is motivated
by reasons of a cultural and socio-economic
nature. In most practicing countries not being
mutilated might result in failure to secure marriage
and exclusion from community life. This can deeply
affect a woman’s ability to secure income, with
potentially disastrous consequences to her safety
and livelihood. (Lloyd Roberts, 2013)
How is FGM Performed?
FGM is usually performed without anesthetic and
under horrific hygienic conditions. Instruments
used include knives, scissors, blades or pieces of
broken glass. FGM is usually performed by women
who practice cutting as a profession. (NSPCC,
2013)
FGM Defined
“Female genital mutilation (FGM) comprises
all procedures that involve partial or total
removal of the external female genitalia, or
other injury to the female genital organs for
non-medical reasons.”
FGM FACTS
• FGM is endemic in parts of Africa, Middle
East and South East Asia. It is also practiced
among immigrant communities in Europe.
• The World Health Organization (WHO)
estimates that worldwide 150 million women
are affected by FGM and 3 million girls are at
risk every year.
• FGM is usually performed on girls before
they reached puberty, between 5 and 8 years
of age. Recently it is increasingly performed
on toddlers and nurslings.
(World Health Organization, 2013)
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
in the UK: a national crisis
Policy Brief 01
October 2013

2. 2
How Does FGM affect girls and women?
FGM in the UK: a Twofold Issue
1 – Diaspora Communities
Why Has Legislation Failed?
Although it is estimated that thousands of girls in
the UK are being subjected to FGM each year,
and legislation exists to protect them and punish
perpetrators, there has been no single case of
prosecution since illegalisation in 1985. (Lloyd
Roberts, 2012)
Data shows FGM illegalisation has had little effect
on prevalence rates worldwide. Most of the
countries with no laws against FGM tend to have
high prevalence, whilst countries where
legislation exists show inconsistent figures, with
prevalence rates ranging from 5% (Uganda and
Niger) to over 95% (Egypt and Djibouti). Sudan,
the first country to illegalise FGM in 1946, still has
a prevalence of 90% today. (Desert Flower
Foundation, 2013)
In the UK, the lack of enforcement and
sensitisation strategies, exacerbated by political
correctness, has contributed to the perpetuation
of the practice. Current legislation relies on
children speaking against their parents, which
demonstrates little understanding of the
complexities associated with the practice, such as
family dynamics often present in practicing
communities. On the other hand, countries like
Iraqi Kurdistan which have adopted a cross-
agency approach involving government,
legislation and sensitisation campaigns have
recently seen encouraging results with up to 60%
decrease in the practice in some areas. (O’Kane
and Farrelly, 2013) (NHS Choices, 2013)
To conclude, a legislative approach is necessary,
however if used alone, it becomes merely a
tokenistic gesture that does not support real
change. It is the use of sound enforcement and
education strategies, supported by legislation,
which will ultimately serve to eradicate the
practice.
UK Key Facts
• Over 20,000 girls under the age of 15 are at
risk of FGM each year.
• 66,000 women in the UK are living with the
consequences of FGM.
• FGM tends to occur in areas with larger
populations of communities who adopt the
practice, such as first-generation immigrants,
refugees and asylum seekers.
• In practicing communities in the UK, girls
may be taken to the family’s country of origin
so that FGM can be performed during the
British summer holidays (often referred to as
‘the cutting season’), allowing them time to
heal before returning to school. According to
testimonies, FGM is also performed in the
UK. (NSPCC, 2013)
FGM has no health benefits, and it is proven to harm girls and women in many ways, in some cases
even leading to death. FGM also has negative effects on the mental health of women throughout their
lives. (NHS Choices, 2013)
Immediate effects can include: Severe pain, shock and bleeding – Wound infections (tetanus,
gangrene, HIV, hepatitis B and C) – Damage to other organs – Inability to urinate – Death.
Long term Consequences can include: Chronic vaginal and pelvic infections – Difficulty passing urine –
Damage to the reproductive system and infertility – Complications in pregnancy and newborn deaths -
Pain during sex and lack of pleasurable sensation – Psychological damage (low libido, anxiety and
depression) – Kidney failure – Need for later surgery to open the vagina for intercourse and childbirth.

3. 3
2 - FGM Asylum Seekers in the UK - Case Study
Fear of female genital mutilation is grounds for seeking asylum in the UK, yet each year hundreds of
women have such applications rejected. A BBC journalist spoke to several women from The Gambia
whose applications failed, and then travelled to their home country to test their cases on the ground.
What has worked: The French Model
Compared to the UK, France has been more
successful in reducing FGM rates. Since the
practice was outlawed in the 1980s, 100 parents
have been convicted. This is however only one
of the reasons behind the country’s success.
(Lloyd Robert, 2012)
France adopts a cross-agency system that blends
enforcement, prevention and victim support.
Mother-daughter clinics exist where girls are
routinely screened for signs of FGM. This takes
place until girls reach the age of 6, when the
screening is handed over to medical facilities in
schools. In addition to supporting enforcement,
the screenings build a platform to educate
parents about the risks of FGM.
France is also the first country to offer a new type
of reconstructive surgery to restore clitoral
sensitivity. The procedure was pioneered by
French Surgeon Dr. Pierre Foldes. It has been
offered in France since 2004 and is covered by
national health insurance. Beneficiaries testify
that such procedure has helped them lead a more
normal life and has reduced pain. (Barclay, 2012)
Fled to save daughter
Fatima is a 23-year-old mother from The Gambia,
who was mutilated as a 10 year old. She fled to
Britain to save her three-year-old daughter, who
was born in the UK, from suffering the same fate.
Fatima’s mother, who lives in The Gambia and was
interviewed by the BBC, confirmed: "If Fatima
comes back, her daughter must be cut. If not,
everyone will point at her and call her a 'sulima', an
unclean girl.”
UK law recognises the threat of FGM as valid
grounds for claiming asylum. However, Fatima’s
application has been rejected by the UK Border
Agency and, after three years, she has exhausted
the appeal process. Fatima and her daughter face
imminent deportation. (Lloyd Roberts, 2013)
An Inadequate Response
The UK Border Agency advised Fatima to return to The
Gambia and relocate within the country’s borders.
However, this suggestion shows little understanding of
the country, which is roughly the same size as
Yorkshire, England. It also neglects the importance of
tribal links present in African countries.
Fatima stated "I shall not be safe because The Gambia
is too small and they will know which tribe I come from.
I could only be a prostitute. A woman living alone is
seen as a bad woman. I will not be part of the society.
It will be difficult for my daughter to be married."
Assuming that individuals can relocate or seek the aid
of authorities in their own country reflects a great
underestimation of the socio-economic implications
the practice bears. Furthermore, it demonstrates the
UK’s failure in viewing FGM as the humanitarian and
health threat it really is. By failing to offer humanitarian
assistance, be it in the form of asylum or healthcare
support, the UK neglects the importance and
magnitude of the physical and mental health
consequences of the mutilation, but also fails to
recognise the threat imposed by social norms and
culture in practicing societies. (Lloyd Roberts, 2013)
Fig. 6 – French surgeon Pierre Foldes.
Source: NPR (Jean Ayissi)
Fig. 6 – Fatima’s mother. Source: BBC News

4. 4
Recommendations for Change
The weaknesses of the UK approach reflect a fundamental failure to recognise FGM as a serious humanitarian and
health crisis. So far, the UK has taken a legislative approach against FGM, failing however to support this with
enforcement strategies and large-scale education initiatives. This demonstrates little understanding of the central
complexities and socio-cultural challenges associated with the practice. In conclusion, the UK is currently failing in
two main areas outlined below.
A. Prevention and Enforcement
A1. The UK should put aside political correctness to adopt a more effective cross-agency approach. Police,
healthcare and education professionals, should be empowered to proactively identify at-risk individuals,
coordinating necessary interventions to prevent harm. This approach should include:
• Offering compulsory mother/daughter health clinics to all girls under 18 years of age. Clinic visits should
include screenings and education on reproductive health and FGM for parents and children.
• Training and empowerment of healthcare professionals, teachers and police in dealing with FGM
issues – encourage and support the reporting of cases to authorities if FGM is discovered or there are
causes for concern.
A2. Investment in education and sensitisation campaigns in schools and at-risk communities to sensitise and
influence parents and household decision makers.
B. Support of FGM Victims
B1. FGM should be viewed as a national humanitarian and health crisis requiring attention. Support such as free
reconstructive surgery, support groups and counselling should be offered to all UK based FGM victims, whether
UK citizens or asylum seekers.
B2. The UK should adopt a humanitarian approach when considering applications for asylum FGM who are
escaping FGM or facing persecution for their refusal to engage with the practice. If unable to grant asylum in the
UK, alternative solutions to deportations should be sought, so not to compromise personal safety.
Barclay, E. (2012), ‘Surgery restores sexual function in women with genital mutilation’ [online], NPR, 13 June. Available from:
http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2012/06/13/154924715/surgery-restores-sexual-function-in-women-with-genital-mutilation [accessed on 21
October 2013]
Desert Flower Foundation (2013), ‘What is FGM’ [online], Desert Flower Foundation. Available from:
http://www.desertflowerfoundation.org/en/what-is-fgm/ [accessed on 12 October 2013]
Lloyd Roberts, S. (2013), ‘Gambian women fleeing female genital mutilation threat’ [online], BBC News, 3 September. Available from:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-23933437 [accessed on 10 October 2013]
Lloyd Roberts, S. (2012), ‘Hidden world of female genital mutilation in the UK’ [online], BBC News, 23 July. Available from:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-18900803 [accessed on 20 October 2013]
NHS Choices (2013), Female genital mutilation [online], London: Department of Health. Available from:
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/female-genital-mutilation/Pages/Introduction.aspx. [accessed on 20 October 2013]
NSPCC (2013), ‘Female genital mutilation (FGM) NSPCC Factsheet’ [online], NSPCC. Available from:
http://www.nspcc.org.uk/inform/resourcesforprofessionals/minorityethnic/female-genital-mutilation_wda96841.html#prevalent. [Accessed on
13 October 2013]
World Health Organization (WHO) (2013), Female genital mutilation: fact sheet no 241 [online], WHO. Available from:
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs241/en/ [accessed on 10 October 2013]
O’Kane, M. and Farrelly, P. (2013), ‘FGM: it’s like neutering animals – the film that is changing Kurdistan’ [online], The Guardian, 24
October. Available from: http://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/oct/24/female-genital-mutilation-film-changing-kurdistan-law [accessed
on 26 October 2013
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