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A new report launched today shows that attitudes towards FGM (female genital mutilation) are being transformed in affected communities here in the UK.
The evaluation report by the Tackling FGM Initiative (TFGMI) marks the end of its six year programme, which has been funded by a coalition of organisations including Comic Relief, and hails the success of community-led interventions to tackle FGM in almost 20 local authorities across the nation.
Key insights show that more and more young people in communities affected by FGM are rejecting the practice after learning that it is illegal and not required by their religion.
The report states: “There is strong evidence of wide rejection of FGM among some communities, with particular groups, such as young people and younger mothers, being at the forefront of a rejection of the practice. This has been clearly linked to leaps in understanding that FGM is not a religiously required practice, is illegal and that it has severe health implications.”
However more funding is needed to help maintain the progress that is being made and protect the future health of the thousands of British girls and young women at risk every year.
The report also states: “The major barrier to the future of ending FGM campaign is still funding. Even in areas where local authorities, public health colleagues, police and others highly valued TFGMI partners, when asked about future funding intentions it was not evident that funding needs had even been considered.”
It also adds: “There is good evidence that the community based work has worked with a range of audiences within communities affected by FGM and has started to create a critical mass of people who are opposed to the practice.”
The final evaluation report was launched today with TFGMI’s Communities Tackling FGM in the UK: Best Practice Guide, by Karen Bradley MP, Minister for Preventing Abuse, Exploitation and Crime and can be read online at preventingfgm.org(opens in new window).
Since Comic Relief began, thousands of women and girls have been supported to claim their right to live free from FGM through various types of work including supporting clubs in schools where girls can share their concerns and experiences; raising awareness within communities and households; working with prosecutors to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice; advocating for law changes to make FGM illegal and working with duty bearers to ensure that existing laws are applied, and building a movement of anti- FGM champions across Africa and the UK.
