Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they are working with the United Nations and World Health Organisation in their efforts to strengthen laws and policies to protect women and girls from female genital mutilation in The Gambia, as committed to in the International Women and Girls Strategy 2023 to 2030.

The UK's position is clear that female genital mutilation (FGM) is a human rights violation. The Deputy Foreign Secretary spoke to The Gambia's Foreign Minister on 9 April and met with the Minister for Public Services on 29 April, to relay the UK's deep concern about the progress in The Gambia's National Assembly of the bill that would legalise FGM. He highlighted the serious implications if the bill were to become law, including for The Gambia's international reputation. The UK continues to engage broadly through regular contact with senior Gambian Government officials and other stakeholders. We are working with international partners to coordinate and complement messaging and activity.