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9000 FGM cases every year according to NHS reports.
But is the government doing enough? - By Rowan Windsor
reporting 1229 cases taking place in parts of Africa,
while 57 cases took place in the UK. This is a significant
rise in newly reported cases of FGM carried out in
the UK compared to figures from 2015-2016 which
recorded 18 new cases.
Royal College of Nursing reveals number of cases
not falling fast enough and newly reported cases
happening in the UK has risen since last year.
Last year the NHS reported over 9000 attendances
to the service were involved in the identification and
treatment of female genital mutilation. The breakdown
of the findings report a total of 9179 were recorded in
the UK in which FGM was either identified, provided
treatment, or an FGM survivor had given birth. A total
of 5391 were recorded as first time attendances; 114
girls were under the age of 16. This includes figures
from both the NHS and GP practices.
The reported numbers represent only a slight drop in figures
from the previous year by 44 fewer attendances. Head of
nursing at the Royal College of Nursing, Wendy Preston said
that despite the growing discussion and concern over FGM
“...the number of women and girls subjected to [FGM] is not
falling fast enough.”, adding that the drop in school nurses
in recent years has had detrimental impact on the effort to
tackle FGM. It must be the responsibility of the government
to attract and maintain the number of school nurses rather
than cut local authority health budgets.
Preston added “Mandatory reporting and compulsory
sex and relationships education are important
weapons in the fight against FGM, and school nurses
play a vital role in both educating children and young
women, and spotting those who may be at risk”.
Preston also mentioned how “recent figures show the
number of school nurses has fallen by 16% since 2010,
largely as a result of government cuts. It is not right
that vulnerable children pay the price for funding
reductions and poor workforce planning.”.
Only 2385 of women involved in newly reported
cases revealed the country in which FGM took place,
The acting director ofthe National FGM centre, Meg
Fassam-Wright believes the data is helping provide a
clearer picture of FGM in England; “It is important that
the cases are being identified,” she said of the overall
report. “These are often cases of women who have had
FGM a number years ago. Their health needs and other
needs are potentially being identified through the
collection of this data, so we can plan for a better future
because these women – some of them – will have long-
term health problems as a result of FGM.” Additionally,
the report demonstrates the need for all statutory
services to respond to FGM for both girls and women.
Fassam-Wright also believes that government cuts pose
a threat to public and third-party sector organisations
that work with FGM survivors and tackle FGM.
“We’ve got a number of discussions which are taking
place at the present time – we are in the position where
unless we get decisions about our funding by 21 July
then the centre will unfortunately have to close.”
This fear follows recent closure of the Action African
Well Woman Centre, a london based clinic for FGM
survivors, due to a lack of funding. A government
spokesperson said that the funding provided to the
National FGM Centre (which was part of the £200m
Children’s Social Care innovation Programme) was
never intended to be ongoing, and instead expected to
establish the service to help it become self-sustaining.
“Protecting women and girls from violence and
supporting victims is a key priority for this government
and a personal priority for the minister for women and
equalities, Justine Greening,” he said.
“We have strengthened the law on this through the
Serious Crime Act 2015. It is now an offence if you
fail to protect a girl from FGM. We have also created
a mandatory reporting duty requiring professionals
to report known cases of FGM to the police and have
provided lifelong anonymity for victims.”
If you are affected by any of the content in this article or
for more information, contact Valentine Nkoyo, CEO of
Mojatu Foundation on 01157846668 | 01157846666 Ext 302
Mobile 07794372214 | email: [email protected]