Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is also known as female circumcision or female genital cutting. FGM has no health benefits, and it harms girls and women in many ways. It involves removing and damaging healthy and normal female genital tissue, and interferes with the natural functions of girls’ and women’s bodies.
It is against the law in the UK for anyone to carry out FGM on women or children, to take girls or women who live in the UK to a different country to carry out FGM. It is also against the law to help someone else carry out FGM, this includes making travel arrangements.
As a parent or guardian you are responsible for protecting your children from FGM and it is important to understand what the law means and what will happen if you fail to protect your daughter from FGM.
In the UK teachers, health professionals and the border police are all working to ensure that girls are not put at risk of FGM.
'My Clitoris' is a film made by the young people of Integrate UK, making it very clear that no form of FGM is acceptable.
The following leaflet contains the facts about FGM and information about how to get support.
Say no to FGM leaflet in English
Say no to FGM leaflet in Arabic
Say no to FGM leaflet in Somali
Say no to FGM leaflet in French
The following leaflet has been created by Forward (Foundation of Women's Health Research and Development) an African women-led women's rights organisation working to end violence against women and girls.
Keeping your girls safe from FGM: Summer Holidays, the law and YOU leaflet
