Recommendations & Conclusions
22 items
1
Conclusion
7th Report - Female genital mutilation
Accepted
Survivors of female genital mutilation (FGM) experience profound physical, emotional and psychosexual consequences and require specialised care and support to manage these impacts. Despite this, survivors may not be aware that the health complications they experience are a consequence of FGM, meaning awareness among survivors of the long-term health implications …
Government response. The government committed to the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) developing a research call into FGM survivors' awareness of long-term health implications, with a timeline for advertisement aimed by the end of the year.
Government Equalities Office
2
Conclusion
7th Report - Female genital mutilation
Accepted
Services for FGM survivors and access to them remains inconsistent across the UK. While some variation in access to services may be expected in line with local prevalence, there is a lack of effective referral pathways. This has created a postcode lottery that risks leaving women and girls without the …
Government response. The government describes existing FGM support clinics and NHS services, noting ICBs commission pathways based on local populations, which inherently leads to variation. It states NHS Talking Therapies are being expanded, with trained therapists for trauma, but does not commit …
Government Equalities Office
4
Recommendation
7th Report - Female genital mutilation
Accepted
The Government should ensure that all FGM survivors can access the essential support and care they need in a timely manner. While some variation in service provision may be necessary to reflect local prevalence rates, higher-prevalence areas should offer funded multidisciplinary services that allow quick access to specialist care. In …
Government response. The government describes existing FGM support clinics and NHS services, stating that Integrated Care Boards commission services based on local needs, which accounts for variation. It notes that some high-prevalence areas use Women’s Health Hubs and that NHS Talking Therapies …
Government Equalities Office
5
Conclusion
7th Report - Female genital mutilation
Accepted
There is a notable lack of data on spending on FGM services but evidence to this Committee indicates that funding for FGM services may have reduced and remains precarious. There are also concerns that the integration of FGM services within the wider women’s health agenda has led to a reduced …
Government response. The government committed to convening a Ministerial roundtable with relevant departments to explore improved prevention and prosecution efforts against FGM, and detailed new Crown Prosecution Service actions like National Scrutiny Panels to strengthen oversight and governance of FGM cases.
Government Equalities Office
6
Recommendation
7th Report - Female genital mutilation
Accepted
Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) should ensure sufficient funding is available to meet local demand for services tailored to the needs of FGM survivors. Spending on FGM services should be published and data collected at a local and national level to help build up a comprehensive picture of demand for and …
Government response. The government states ICBs are already responsible for commissioning FGM services and have local demand understanding via the FGM Enhanced Dataset. However, it notes that disaggregating spending on FGM services for publication is often not possible due to services sitting …
Government Equalities Office
9
Conclusion
7th Report - Female genital mutilation
Accepted
Evidence suggests some FGM survivors are experiencing shame or humiliation in healthcare settings, reducing the likelihood of them engaging further with healthcare services essential to their physical and mental wellbeing. Training for midwives and healthcare professionals is not mandatory and often does not include practical advice on how to ask …
Government response. The government states that all healthcare staff must complete mandatory safeguarding training focusing on FGM and that a national e-learning module for FGM is being refreshed for publication in 2026. This refreshed training will promote sensitive communication and help professionals …
Government Equalities Office
10
Recommendation
7th Report - Female genital mutilation
Accepted
FGM training should be made mandatory for midwives and other healthcare professionals working in services where they are likely to encounter FGM survivors. That training should include how to treat survivors with appropriate sensitivity. Staff working in FGM Specialist Clinics and Women’s Health Hubs should be able to signpost survivors …
Government response. The government states that all healthcare staff must complete safeguarding training including FGM, and an FGM e-learning module is being refreshed for 2026 to ensure sensitive, trauma-informed responses and clear referral pathways. NHS England and DHSC will develop a communications …
Government Equalities Office
11
Conclusion
7th Report - Female genital mutilation
Accepted
FGM survivors are not consistently being made aware that they are entitled to interpretation services. However, interpretation services that are available can be unsuitable and interpreters can lack the necessary 42 proficiency to advocate on behalf of survivors. This can lead to survivors relying on family members which can prevent …
Government response. The government states that ICBs and NHS Providers are responsible for ensuring translation and interpretation services are available and culturally sensitive. NHS England will ask ICBs to share the working definition of trauma-informed practice with their translation providers to improve …
Government Equalities Office
13
Conclusion
7th Report - Female genital mutilation
Accepted
Many women who have undergone FGM seek reconstructive surgery to reverse FGM as far as possible. It is clear that the NHS is equipped to perform this surgery as it delivers it for other medical conditions. We acknowledge that the current medical evidence supporting reconstructive surgery for FGM survivors may …
Government response. The government agrees this is an important research area, with the National Institute for Health and Care Research developing a call for proposals into FGM reconstructive surgery effectiveness and aiming to advertise a timeline by year-end.
Government Equalities Office
14
Recommendation
7th Report - Female genital mutilation
Accepted
The Government should facilitate and fund research into the effectiveness of reconstructive surgery for FGM survivors as a matter of priority. If evidence indicates that the surgery is effective, then the NHS should provide it. (Recommendation, Paragraph 44) Estimating the prevalence of FGM
Government response. The government agrees with the recommendation to research FGM reconstructive surgery effectiveness, with the National Institute for Health and Care Research developing a call for proposals and aiming to advertise a timeline by the end of the year.
Government Equalities Office
15
Conclusion
7th Report - Female genital mutilation
Accepted
To tackle FGM and be able to provide services based on need, the Government, local authorities and healthcare providers need to understand the prevalence of FGM within the UK. The most recent study on FGM prevalence in England and Wales was published in 2015 and was based on 2011 census …
Government response. The government is conducting a study to test the viability of producing a national FGM prevalence estimate, with work already underway. NHS England also operates an FGM Enhanced Dataset which is being amended to improve data quality and completeness to …
Government Equalities Office
16
Recommendation
7th Report - Female genital mutilation
Accepted
The Government should immediately commission research into the number of women with FGM in the UK, including on prevalence within local areas. It must make this data accessible so that local authorities and health providers can provide their services accordingly. The NHS should ensure that data on the country of …
Government response. The government has initiated a study to assess the viability of a national prevalence estimate for FGM and is working to complete it. The NHS already collects and publishes data on FGM, including country of birth, through its Enhanced Dataset, …
Government Equalities Office
22
Conclusion
7th Report - Female genital mutilation
Accepted
Education among communities can be an effective tool in challenging the beliefs that fuel FGM and in raising awareness of the serious health impacts of FGM. The effectiveness of these campaigns is likely to be increased when influential people within the community, such as religious leaders, are included in education …
Government response. The government will deliver a campaign with a specific focus on FGM through specialist organisations and community experts, and has launched an 'Honour'-Based Abuse sector engagement group to collaborate with grassroots organisations on policy development.
Government Equalities Office
23
Recommendation
7th Report - Female genital mutilation
Accepted
The Government and local authorities should fund community-led education programmes to challenge the cultural and social beliefs that drive FGM. These programmes must be tailored to reflect the specific drivers of FGM within different communities. Education must include the health consequences of FGM and be targeted at those who drive …
Government response. The government is unable to comment on future spending but announced a community engagement campaign on 'honour'-based abuse, including FGM, to be launched in August 2025 through specialist organisations. It also established an HBA sector engagement group and part-funds relevant …
Government Equalities Office
24
Recommendation
7th Report - Female genital mutilation
Accepted
While some FGM survivors and campaigners believe more needs to be done to secure convictions against perpetrators of FGM, others believe a strong focus on criminalisation can hinder efforts to engage with communities to prevent FGM and support FGM survivors. It is evident that to tackle FGM, the Government, local …
Government response. The government will convene a Ministerial roundtable with relevant departments to explore improving FGM prevention and prosecution efforts and multi-agency working. The CPS has also developed an Action Plan, including National Scrutiny Panels and a multi-agency conference, to strengthen oversight …
Government Equalities Office
25
Recommendation
7th Report - Female genital mutilation
Accepted
The Government should continue to adopt an approach that looks at prevention and prosecution by funding and engaging with prevention efforts in local communities. Alongside this work, criminal justice agencies should review police intervention and CPS prosecution strategies with a view to increasing the prosecution rate for FGM. We acknowledge …
Government response. The government will jointly convene a Ministerial roundtable to explore improving FGM prevention and prosecution efforts and multi-agency working, though it cannot comment on spending beyond March 2026. The Crown Prosecution Service has also developed an Action Plan, including National …
Government Equalities Office
26
Conclusion
7th Report - Female genital mutilation
Accepted
Evidence suggests that safeguarding referrals are low. Professionals often lack the confidence to ask questions and get the necessary information from the families of the women and girls affected. Some professionals may also be reluctant to ask questions due to fears of appearing to be culturally insensitive, and there is …
Government response. The government states that all professionals with safeguarding responsibilities, including healthcare staff, receive mandatory FGM training. It commits to refreshing a national e-learning module by 2026 to promote sensitive communication and ensure professionals are equipped to identify and support FGM …
Government Equalities Office
27
Recommendation
7th Report - Female genital mutilation
Accepted
The Government should ensure that professionals, such as teachers and healthcare professionals, are adequately trained to feel confident to ask questions around female genital mutilation in order to increase the number 45 of successful safeguarding referrals for FGM. This training should include how to broach sensitive subjects, and make clear …
Government response. The government outlines existing multi-agency guidance and e-learning for professionals. It commits to refreshing the e-Learning for Healthcare FGM Module for publication in 2026 and reviewing "Working Together" guidance to potentially strengthen FGM wording, thereby addressing the call for improved …
Government Equalities Office
28
Conclusion
7th Report - Female genital mutilation
Accepted
Border monitoring is an effective mechanism for preventing FGM being carried out on UK citizens and residents taken abroad. However, evidence suggests that monitoring could be made better through improved training of border officials, better follow-up of suspected cases, and enhanced communication between different agencies. (Conclusion, Paragraph 83)
Government response. The government highlights existing, regularly reviewed and updated training for Border Force officials, including mandatory e-learning, and ongoing joint operations like 'Operation LIMELIGHT' and the Forced Marriage Unit's outreach programmes to address FGM.
Government Equalities Office
29
Recommendation
7th Report - Female genital mutilation
Accepted
The Home Office should ensure that border officials have sufficient training on FGM to ensure they can identify potential cases and intervene when necessary. There should also be close engagement between departments, such as the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Home Office, and the Department for Education, including social services, …
Government response. The government states that Border officials already receive training, including mandatory e-learning, to identify and deal with FGM risks, and this training is regularly reviewed. Joint operations are ongoing, and the Forced Marriage Unit provides support and training to frontline …
Government Equalities Office
30
Conclusion
7th Report - Female genital mutilation
Accepted
FGM Protection Orders (FGMPOs) can be an effective way of supporting FGM survivors and preventing FGM. Although the data on FGM protection orders is incomplete, the number of FGMPOs appears low, especially when compared to estimations of the number of girls at risk of FGM in the UK. (Conclusion, Paragraph …
Government response. Acknowledging FGM Protection Orders (FGMPOs) as a vital tool, the government commits to working with the Department for Education and other departments to ensure these orders are well understood and promoted to victims.
Government Equalities Office
31
Recommendation
7th Report - Female genital mutilation
Accepted
The Ministry of Justice should encourage the use of FGMPOs by working with the Department for Education to increase awareness among children’s social services of FGMPOs and the criteria needed to obtain one. We welcome the MoJ’s plans to ensure that its data on FGM Protection Orders is up to …
Government response. The government will work with the Department for Education and other departments to ensure FGM Protection Orders are well understood and promoted. It also notes that FGMPO data is already published quarterly and existing guidance is available for professionals.
Government Equalities Office