Stop female genital mutilation National Federation of Women’s Institutes Resolution Shortlist November 2017 Stop female genital mutilation “Almost 200,000 women and girls in England and Wales are affected by or threatened with the risk of female genital mutilation (FGM). This figure rises to 200 million worldwide. FGM is illegal in the UK, but it is still happening. We urge the NFWI to use its collective voice and influence to raise wider awareness of the traumatic health consequences of FGM and support and partner with agencies that are working to end this practice in the UK and worldwide” Place image here Place image here The proposer would like to raise awareness of the devastating and lifelong damage that FGM can have on women and girls. They would like to see the NFWI support and help further existing efforts towards ending this practice.

Outline of presentation What is FGM and who does it affect? What are the consequences of FGM? Government approach The role of local partnerships and communities in tackling FGM How the WI could work on this resolution Arguments for and against this resolution Further information 271 EAK MOTO/Shutterstock.com

What is FGM? FGM has no health benefits and leads to short- and long-term physical and psychological harm Reasons given for performing FGM include: A rite of passage A prerequisite to marriage To preserve premarital virginity To prevent adultery All procedures involving the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons World Health Organization (WHO) definition of FGM The World Health Organization (WHO) defines female genital mutilation as “all procedures involving the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons”.   International bodies such as the United Nations and the WHO are unanimous that FGM has no health benefits and leads to short- and long-term physical and psychological harm. Though no religious scripts prescribe it, a common reason given for FGM is religion. However, religious leaders take different positions on the practice, some promote it, some consider it irrelevant to religion and others contribute to its elimination. In some cultures FGM is seen as a rite of passage and a prerequisite for marriage. It can be promoted to ensure women adhere to considered acceptable sexual behaviour or to try and ensure premarital virginity.

What are the consequences? Short-term effects include: severe pain; shock; bleeding; wound infections, including tetanus; and viruses such as HIV and hepatitis B and C. Long-term effects include: chronic infections; abnormal periods; difficulties passing urine and persistent urine infections; kidney impairment; damage to the reproductive system and complications during pregnancy. The procedure is traditionally carried out by a woman with no medical training. The short-term effects of FGM include: severe pain; shock; bleeding; wound infections, including tetanus; and viruses such as HIV and hepatitis B and C.   Long-term, consequences include: chronic infections; abnormal periods; difficulties passing urine and persistent urine infections; kidney impairment; damage to the reproductive system and complications during pregnancy.

The scale of the problem It has been estimated that more than 200 million women worldwide have been subjected to FGM and three million girls are believed to be at risk each year. FGM is practised in more than 29 African countries, and across the southern part of the Arabian Peninsula and along the Persian Gulf.   It is estimated that approximately 137,000 women and girls who have undergone FGM live in England and Wales. Precise data on the incidence of FGM in the UK in not available, despite efforts by the government to improve evidence collection.

Government approach FGM has been illegal in the UK since 1985, and since 2003 it has been illegal to aid, abet or procure the carrying out of FGM abroad. In 2015, the Department of Health introduced mandatory reporting requirements for health and social care professionals. Brian A Jackson/ Shutterstock.com FGM has been illegal in the UK since 1985 and since 2003 it has been illegal to aid, abet or procure the carrying out of FGM abroad. Anyone found guilty of the offence faces a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison. The Government has made significant efforts to raise the profile of the dangers of FGM and to identify ways to eradicate it within a generation. This includes the introduction in October 2015 of a new duty on regulated health and social care professionals in England and Wales to report ‘known’ cases of FGM in girls under the age of 18. The aim is to improve awareness of the offence amongst professionals who may be made aware of such cases through their every day work and increase police referrals. A number of other measures have also been introduced including: FGM Protection Orders; lifelong anonymity for victims; and legislation to enable parents to be prosecuted if they fail to prevent their daughter being cut. However, the Home Affairs Committee recently warned that some healthcare professionals do not think they are required to report these cases. The Committee argues that disciplinary procedures for professionals who fail to comply should be strengthened and has called on the Government to “introduce stronger sanctions … beyond the relevant professions own general disciplinary procedures”. Despite efforts to tackle FGM, there have so far been no successful prosecutions.

The role of local partnerships and communities “A criminal justice approach in isolation will not eradicate FGM; that can only be done with the police, health, education, social care, NGOs and the affected communities working together” Mark Chishty, the National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for FGM The role of local communities in tackling FGM is widely recognised. A 2016 report published by Trust for London, for example, found that people from communities affected by FGM particularly value and support community-based work to increase awareness of FGM. The research also highlighted a need for better signposting to services, further training on FGM for health professionals and more school-based activities to help educate young people.

How the WI work could work on this resolution At a national level: the NFWI could work with partners to raise awareness of FGM and its implications. The WI could call on government to strengthen the health sector response to FGM to ensure that all women and girls receive the appropriate response. At a local level: WIs and federation could work alongside local projects and organisations to raise awareness of FGM in their communities and the available support. As the UK Government estimates that “no local authority area is likely to be free from FGM entirely”, members could also call on their local authority to provide information on the action they are taking, or planning to take, to combat it. A full campaign plan would be developed by the NFWI if the resolution is passed, taking into account latest developments. In the mean time, to help inform your discussions, here are some ways the WI could consider working on this issue if it was passed. At a national level: the NFWI could work with partners to raise awareness of FGM and its implications. The WI could call on government to strengthen the health sector response to FGM to ensure that all women and girls receive the appropriate response. At a local level: WIs and federation could work alongside local projects and organisations to raise awareness of FGM in their communities and the available support. As the UK Government estimates that “no local authority area is likely to be free from FGM entirely”, members could also call on their local authority to provide information on the action they are taking, or planning to take, to combat it.  

Arguments for and against this resolution WI members have long been concerned about FGM. This resolution would finally give the NFWI a mandate to work on the issue and draw attention to the shortfalls in the current legislative and health sector response. Adding the WIs voice to calls for improvements in how cases of FGM are dealt with could help to protect women and girls. Arguments against: Could this resolution be seen as inviting WI’s and WI members to impose themselves on other people in situations where that attention may be unwelcome? Does the WI have enough expertise to add to the work of specialist charities? [read the text on the slide, clicking through each bullet point]

Further information NFWI Public Affairs Department E: pa@nfwi.org.uk T: 020 7371 9300 https://www.thewi.org.uk/campaigns NSPCC: www.nspcc.org.uk FORWARD (Foundation for Women's Health Research and Development) E: forward@forwarduk.org.uk T: 020 8960 4000 www.forwarduk.org.uk