Educate Not Mutilate (ENM) is a pioneering survivor-led organisation that has become a driving force in the fight against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in the UK. Despite being a relatively young organisation, ENM has trained thousands of professionals, contributed to shaping national policy, and supported countless survivors.
FGM remains a hidden crisis, with its true prevalence likely far higher than official figures suggest. Over 60,000 girls under 16 are at risk, and 945 new cases were identified in NHS services in Q1 2024. An estimated 170,000 women and girls in the UK are living with the consequences of FGM.
Despite strict UK laws criminalising FGM, British girls are still being taken overseas for the procedure. ENM has played a direct role in UK border safeguarding initiatives, successfully identifying a girl whose guardians intended to take her abroad for FGM. However, gaps remain—border officials lack training, there is insufficient follow-up on suspected cases, and poor communication between agencies hampers enforcement.
One of the biggest setbacks in the UK’s response has been the closure of specialist NHS FGM clinics. The Lotus Clinic at Whipps Cross Hospital, which set the blueprint for eight more clinics, has now shut down, leaving survivors without access to lifesaving care. Women now face 6+ month delays for deinfibulation and gynaecological support, GPs lack adequate training, and mental health services for survivors are severely underfunded.
The UK government must act urgently to:
✔ Strengthen law enforcement and border safeguarding to prevent FGM abroad.
✔ Restore and expand NHS FGM clinics, ensuring survivors can access care.
✔ Invest in survivor-led education and professional training for frontline staff.
With political will, funding, and collaboration, the UK can reaffirm its commitment to ending FGM for good. ENM stands ready to support this mission with our expertise, advocacy, and frontline work.
Educate Not Mutilate (ENM) is a pioneering survivor-led organisation that has rapidly grown to become a driving force in the fight against FGM in the UK.
This submission provides:
- A real-world perspective on the prevalence and impact of FGM in the UK.
- First-hand insights from ENM’s frontline work with communities, professionals, and policymakers.
- Practical recommendations based on our experience of what works and what must change.
FGM remains a hidden crisis in the UK. Through our direct work with survivors and professionals, we know the scale of the issue is greater than reported figures suggest. Many women do not disclose their experiences, often due to stigma, fear, or lack of trust in services.
Key Statistics:
- Over 60,000 girls under 16 are currently at risk of FGM in the UK.
- In Q1 2024, 945 new cases of FGM were identified in NHS services, with 30 of these women stating that their FGM took place while living in the UK.
- An estimated 170,000 women and girls in the UK are living with the consequences of FGM.
- NHS services recorded 14,355 attendances for FGM-related care in 2023–2024—a 15% increase from the previous year.
Despite strict UK laws criminalising FGM, we continue to see cases where British girls are taken overseas for the procedure. Families often disguise these trips as visits to relatives or religious pilgrimages.
ENM has been directly involved in UK border safeguarding initiatives and successfully identified a girl whose guardians intended to take her abroad for FGM. This case underscores the urgent need for stronger enforcement and proactive intervention.
Challenges Identified:
- Border officials are not always trained to recognise warning signs.
- There is often a lack of follow-up on suspected cases.
- Gaps in communication persist between police, border agencies, and child protection services.
Policy Recommendation:
- Expand Operation Limelight into a permanent, year-round safeguarding operation at all major UK airports and ports.
- Through mandatory FGM education in schools, equip at-risk girls with practical means of accessing legal protection. In addition, educational resources need to be adapted to reflect the needs of practicing communities and to address their concerns sensitively, recognizing that communities are not homogeneous and that some individuals within a community may go under-represented.
ENM’s Involvement in Establishing FGM Clinics
Our Education Lead, Hibo Wardere, played a key role in establishing the Lotus Clinic at Whipps Cross Hospital, one of the UK’s first specialist FGM healthcare services. This clinic provided lifesaving support to survivors—yet it has now been shut down.
The Impact of Clinic Closures:
- Survivors face delays of 6+ months for deinfibulation and gynaecological care.
- GPs often lack the training to provide appropriate or sensitive care.
- Mental health services for survivors are severely underfunded.
- Survivors in rural areas face even greater challenges accessing support.
A Nationwide Risk:
The Lotus Clinic became the model for eight more NHS FGM clinics. Without long-term investment, these services may also be at risk of closure.
Examples:
- The Acton African Well Woman Centre (closed 2017 due to funding cuts).
- The St George’s Hospital FGM unit (closed 2016 due to budget deficits).
Policy Recommendation:
- Restore and expand specialist NHS FGM clinics.
- Ring-fence funding and integrate FGM care into mainstream gynaecology services.
- Conduct an urgent government review into the sustainability of existing FGM clinics.
ENM’s training goes beyond information—it transforms how professionals approach FGM, both in their work and, at times, in their personal lives. Following one of our workshops, a midwife disclosed her own experience of FGM for the first time. This was a powerful moment, not only for her but for the group she was with. She said that she had previously struggled mentally when supporting other survivors, but post-workshop, she told us; “I feel so much more confident at the prospect of supporting a female survivor in midwifery. You’re so brave and inspiring, thank you so much.”
This underscores the importance of creating safe, well-informed spaces where professionals feel empowered to speak up, reflect, and provide better care for others. This is especially important given the wide array of long-term physical complications associated with FGM.
ENM is developing a dedicated FGM training module for General Practitioners (GPs) in response to feedback from survivors. Women have told us that GPs often raise the issue inappropriately, at the wrong time, or in ways that feel insensitive or stigmatising.
This is supported by evidence: a 2021 study found that GPs often lack confidence and clarity around how and when to ask about FGM, which can lead to missed safeguarding opportunities and retraumatisation. The Royal College of General Practitioners has also recognised the need for improved, trauma-informed training.
ENM’s GP module will:
- Build GP confidence in holding sensitive conversations with survivors.
- Clarify legal duties, including mandatory reporting.
- Provide culturally competent tools and referral pathways.
- Encourage trauma-informed approaches in primary care settings.
FGM is a serious human rights abuse that continues to affect thousands of women and girls in the UK. While progress has been made in law, education, and awareness, the fight is far from over.
ENM urges the Government to:
- Strengthen enforcement at borders and in communities.
- Restore and protect FGM clinics and healthcare provision.
- Invest in survivor-led education and system-wide professional training.
We are proud to lead this work and remain committed to partnering with policymakers, survivors, and communities to bring an end to FGM for good.
April 2025