Source · Select Committees · Women and Equalities Committee
Recommendation 32
32
Not Addressed
Reduced ODA funding threatens global FGM programmes and increases risk for UK citizens.
Conclusion
The continued prevalence of FGM globally increases the risk of FGM to current and future UK citizens and residents. Supporting international efforts to end FGM through aid programmes and diplomacy helps the UK fulfil its international obligations to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 5 and is a necessary step to reduce the risk of FGM occurring to UK citizens and residents. The planned reduction in Official Development Assistance (ODA) from 0.5% to 0.3% of GNI in 2027 after the prior reduction from 0.7% risks the effectiveness of these programmes and present a direct risk to the safety of girls in the UK and those overseas. (Conclusion, Paragraph 95)
Government Response Summary
The government states that the FCDO's flagship FGM programme concludes in October 2026 with no plans for future funding. It notes that FGM is also addressed through wider Gender-Based Violence programming and that an Equality Impact Assessment on ODA allocations was published.
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
Official Development Assistance (ODA) Funding The FCDO’s flagship programme on ending FGM The Girl Generation-Africa-Led Movement to End FGM concludes in October 2026, and there are currently no plans for future funding. In addition to this flagship programme, FGM is also addressed through our wider Gender-Based Violence (GBV) programming. For example, we provide funding to the UN Trust Fund to End Violence Against Women (UNTF), which supports initiatives tackling FGM among other forms of violence. We published the Equality Impact Assessment on our 2025/26 ODA allocations, and these assessments remain an essential part of how we make decisions on ODA allocations.