Declares that the Petitioners believe that not enough is being done to stop the illegal practice of female genital mutilation, and further that a Petition on this subject has received over 2,600 signatures.
The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to do more to stop female genital mutilation and to encourage other countries to stop this practice.
And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Simon Hart, Official Report, 12 May 2014; Vol. 580, c. 543.]
[P001349]
Observations from the Secretary of State for the Home Department:
Female Genital Mutilation is child abuse and it is illegal. The coalition Government are absolutely clear that political or cultural sensitivities must not get in the way of preventing, uncovering and prosecuting this terrible form of criminal activity.
This Government recognise that tackling violence against women and girls, including FGM, requires a sustained, robust and dynamic cross-Government approach. That is why the Minister for Crime Prevention initiated a cross-departmental declaration, which has now been adopted by eight Departments. We recognise that every Department needs to play its part in addressing FGM. All NHS acute hospitals must now collect data on patients who have undergone FGM. The Home Office is part-funding a new study into the prevalence rates of FGM in England and Wales. Last June the Home Office, in conjunction with the NSPCC and Metropolitan Police Service, set up a dedicated FGM helpline providing advice to anyone who is concerned about FGM. The Department for International Development has established a £35 million programme to address FGM in Africa and beyond, with a further £12 million committed to help end FGM in Sudan. The Government are legislating, through the Serious Crime Bill, to extend the reach of the extraterritorial offences in the 2003 Act to include habitual (as well as permanent) UK residents. It is also considering whether a civil law remedy may provide an additional tool to tackle FGM.
On 22 July, the Prime Minister, supported by the Home Secretary and the Development Secretary, is hosting a Girl Summit, a major event to tackle forced marriage and FGM. The summit will bring together political leaders, young people and activists to accelerate an ambitious package of policies to end FGM and forced marriage, both internationally and here in the UK.
Female Genital Mutilation is a human rights abuse with devastating consequences for victims. We are determined to work together across Government to protect victims, prosecute perpetrators and end this practice for good.