Recommendation 15

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 data. It is a significant oversight that the Government lacks up-to-date information on the current prevalence of FGM nationwide and per locality. This gap undermines the Government’s, local authorities and healthcare providers’ ability to provide services to women in need. (Conclusion, Paragraph 49)