Responding to new figures which show that funding from central Government to tackle FGM has seen an 84 per cent reduction since 2015, Navin Shah AM and Jennette Arnold OBE AM on behalf of the London Assembly, have outlined an eight-point plan to help curb the practice of FGM in the capital.
The eight-point plan calls for the Mayor to:
- Take a visible lead and speak out against FGM
- Champion a communications strategy, including a pan-London campaign to raise awareness of the real risks and dangers of FGM
- Regularly engage with communities affected by FGM, strengthening community-based prevention work and encouraging them in providing training for professionals
- Actively support the provision of enhanced multi-agency and bespoke training for London’s front-line practitioners
- Lead the way in bringing agencies together to standardise the recording of FGM related information
- Make clear the support he will give to the police, health, social care and education services, voluntary organisations and communities to help move London towards a ‘zero cutting city’
- Make long-term sustainable investment in preventing and tackling FGM a funding priority
- Explore options for joined up pan-London commissioning for FGM services
Navin Shah AM and Jennette Arnold OBE AM, said:
“The London Assembly firmly believes that we must take a zero tolerance approach to FGM. FGM is an act of violence against women and girls that violates basic human rights. FGM has very serious, immediate and long-term consequences, both physically and emotionally. There are no medical or health reasons for anyone to be subjected to FGM.
“FGM is talked about openly now, but more needs to be done to end it. FGM remains a hidden crime, still taking place behind closed doors, with many girls still at risk.
“This reduction in funding to tackle FGM is extremely concerning and will affect vital frontline services. The Mayor has said that FGM is a practice that he will not tolerate. The London Assembly now calls on the Mayor to work with communities to take the next steps to eradicate this practice from our city.”
Notes to editors
- Tackling Female Genital Mutilation in London report
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For media enquiries, please contact Lisa Lam 020 7084 2713. For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer. Non-media enquiries should be directed to the Public Liaison Unit on 020 7983 4100.