PM hosts Girl Summit 2014: a future free from FGM and child and forced marriage

23 Jul 2014 12:43 PM

The government announced new action and funding to protect millions of girls from female genital mutilation and forced marriage. 

A new package of action and funding to protect millions of girls at home and abroad from female genital mutilation and forced marriage was announced by Prime Minister David Cameron, International Development Secretary Justine Greening and Home Secretary Theresa May at the Girl Summit 2014.

The Girl Summit, hosted by the government and UNICEF, is aimed at mobilising domestic and international efforts to end female genital mutilation (FGM) and child and forced marriage (CFM) within a generation. It will bring together domestic and international work to accelerate the work of campaigners, governments and charities around the world to bring an end to these practices.

Sign the pledge to end female genital mutilation and child and forced marriage.

Major steps to stamp out these practices to be announced include:

• a £1.4 million FGM Prevention Programme, launched in partnership with NHS England to help care for survivors and safeguard those at risk
• new police guidance from the College of Policing and an inspection programme by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) that will look at how the police handle cases of FGM
• a consultation on proposals to introduce new civil orders designed to protect girls identified as being at risk of FGM
• new legislation that will mean parents can be prosecuted if they fail to prevent their daughter being cut
• new legislation to grant victims of FGM lifelong anonymity from the time an allegation is made
• a new specialist FGM service which will include social services, to proactively identify and respond to FGM; this will be supported by an ongoing package of work led by the Chief Social Worker Isabelle Trowler
• new programmes to prevent child and forced marriage in 12 developing countries
• an international charter calling for the eradication of these practices within a generation

Prime Minister David Cameron said:

All girls have the right to live free from violence and coercion, without being forced into marriage or the lifelong physical and psychological effects of female genital mutilation. Abhorrent practices like these, no matter how deeply rooted in societies, violate the rights of girls and women across the world, including here in the UK.

I want to build a better future for all our girls and I am hosting the Girl Summit today so that we say with one voice – let’s end these practices once and for all.

A new report from City University London in collaboration with Equality Now estimates that approximately 60,000 girls aged 0 to 14 years old were born in England and Wales to mothers who had undergone FGM. It estimates that approximately 103,000 women aged 15 to 49 and approximately 24,000 women aged 50 and over, who have migrated to England and Wales, are living with the consequences of FGM. In addition, approximately 10,000 girls aged under 15 who have migrated to England and Wales, are likely to have undergone FGM.

Home Secretary Theresa May said:

FGM and forced marriage are incredibly harmful practices, and it is terrible to think about the number of women and girls in the UK who have been subjected to these crimes.

Today’s summit aims to inspire and secure a better future for thousands of women and girls who are at risk of being seriously harmed by those closest to them – either by having their sexual, physical and mental health damaged by FGM or having their education, freedom and ambition curtailed when they are coerced into an unwanted marriage.

I am proud of the action we are taking in the UK to stamp out these harmful practices and delighted to be joined by community leaders, frontline professionals and charity partners from across the world in taking further action to end FGM and forced marriage.

The event will be attended by over 500 delegates from 50 countries, United Nations agencies, survivors, charities, community groups, faith leaders and front line professionals, to galvanise global efforts to end FGM and CFMwithin a generation.

International Development Secretary, Justine Greening said:

When a girl cannot decide for herself when to marry and have children or is subject to female genital mutilation it’s not just a tragedy for her, it’s a disaster for development. Child and forced marriage and female genital mutilation rob girls of a childhood and the chance to reach their full potential.

Many countries, communities and families across the world are now saying no to these practices and the UK is determined to play its part. The Girl Summit 2014 is a chance for the international community to work together to end child marriage and FGM within a generation.

The summit will aim to secure new commitments from the private sector, faith leaders, other civil society organisations and governments.

Attendees will hear from girls and women who have lived through FGM orCFM, and from inspiring individuals who are now campaigning for change so that others can enjoy greater opportunities in the future.

Notes to editors

• Sign the pledge to end FGM and CFM at www.GirlSummitPledge.comand read more details about the summit

• the UK is the biggest international donor to efforts to tackling FGMinvesting up to £35 million over 5 years, read more about the UK’s role

• On 19 July the UK government hosted an event for 14 to 21 years olds from across the world; the #YouthForChange: Taking Action for Girl’s Rights event brought young people together to galvanise young people as leaders to take action for girls’ rights

• for copies of the new City University and Equality Now FGM prevalence study, please contact Brendan Wynne, Media Manager, Equality Now, 07593 300 794 or bwynne@equalitynow.org