Source · Select Committees · Women and Equalities Committee
Recommendation 21
21
Not Addressed
School education on FGM is an essential and welcomed prevention method.
Conclusion
Education on FGM in schools is an essential means of preventing FGM. It can equip girls to advocate on behalf of themselves and to challenge prevailing orthodoxies on behalf of others. We welcome the current and future guidance on RHSE which includes content on the physical and emotional damage caused by FGM, where to find support, and the law, to be taught by the end of secondary education. (Conclusion, Paragraph 64) 44
Government Response Summary
The government's response discusses commissioning of FGM services by ICBs, funding for campaigns and helplines, and engagement with grassroots organizations, none of which directly address the committee's observation about FGM education in schools.
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
ICBs Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for commissioning services that meet the healthcare needs of their local population and have the freedom to do so - this includes services tailored to the needs of FGM survivors. Women affected by FGM receive services from across the NHS, for example through urology, gynaecology and specialist mental health services. For some ICBs the services for women affected by FGM may all be delivered through one service and they will be able to provide their discrete spend on FGM services. However, for other ICBs the FGM services may sit within broader services and it would not be possible to disaggregate the spending on FGM from the total service spend. ICBs have an understanding of the demand for FGM services in their area through the FGM Enhanced Dataset and local needs assessments. Overall funding and prioritising prevention and early intervention The Home Office is currently unable to comment on spending beyond March 2026 as this is subject to the departmental allocations process following the recent Spending Review, which is yet to conclude. An essential part of tackling FGM is through prevention and early intervention. It’s important that those affected and professionals can spot the signs and know that there is help available, and that cultural and social beliefs that drive FGM are challenged. In August 2025, the Home Office announced six measures to tackle ‘honour’-based abuse (HBA). This included launching a community engagement campaign on HBA to raise awareness of crimes including FGM and improve understanding of where to seek help. Work is already underway to develop the campaign in close collaboration with specialist organisations. This campaign will have a specific focus on FGM and will be delivered through specialist organisations and experts with strong community ties. The Home Office engages with a variety of specialist and grassroots organisations working on FGM. In August, we launched the ‘Honour’-Based Abuse (HBA) sector engagement group to directly collaborate with these organisations in the development of policies to tackle FGM. We will continue to work hand in glove with these to ensure the perspective of small and grassroots organisations are considered including in funded projects. In terms of helpline provision, the Home Office also part-funds Karma Nirvana to deliver the National ‘Honour’-Based Abuse (HBA) Helpline. This supports victims and survivors of FGM alongside other forms of HBA. In addition to this, the joint Home Office and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Forced Marriage Unit provides helpline support where a potential victim or victim of FGM has been taken overseas.