Communities across England will benefit from an increased awareness of the devastating consequences of female genital mutilation thanks to a new £375k fund.
Communities Secretary Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP has announced that 37 areas will receive a share of this new Government funding dedicated to boosting outreach work and engagement with communities about FGM and the immeasurable impact felt by its victims.
A total of 37 local areas authorities will benefit from grants by the end of this month, with the funding going directly to areas with the highest estimated prevalence of FGM in their respective communities.
Communities Secretary, Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP said: “Female genital mutilation is an utterly devastating crime that causes immeasurable harm on its victims.
“This Government remains utterly committed to bringing an end to FGM worldwide and this new funding will help us tackle this practice head on and raise awareness across English communities of the lifelong physical and psychological harm that it causes.”
The fund follows the recent refresh of the Government’s Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy which set out proposals to oversee a reduction in FGM’s prevalence and end all reports of the crime within a generation.
To tackle the practice of FGM, local authorities could use the funding to promote available online resources on FGM, highlighting related support services and disseminating the multi-agency guidelines on the practice of FGM.
It could also be used to help build the capacity of FGM-focussed outreach workers to help engage constructively with communities on the practice of FGM and the harm it causes.
This funding is just one of the ways this Government is helping communities to fight FGM. Ahead of International Women’s Day, the Prime Minister hosted an FGM panel with Somali social activist and FGM campaigner Nimco Ali.
Also in February, the Department for Education updated its guidance on Relationships Education. The new guidance stipulates that secondary schools should address the physical and emotional damage caused by FGM, raise awareness of the support that is available, and ensure pupils know that FGM is against the law.
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