PREVENTION OF FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION

Early day motion 303, tabled 14 July 2015 by Virendra Sharma (Labour). Signed by 61 members.

That this House notes that the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) is an illegal practice in the UK and that legislation includes the offences of taking a British national or a permanent resident abroad for FGM; further notes that FGM still is an offence under the Human Rights Act; recognises that an estimated 20,000 girls under the age of 15 are at risk of FGM and a further 66,000 women in the UK are living with the horrific consequences of FGM, which may cause severe health implications later on in life; understands that FGM has been a criminal offence in the UK since 1985 under the Prohibition of Female Circumcision Act but the hidden nature of the practice means that it still exists; and urges professionals, politicians and communities across the UK to strive towards ending the barbaric practice of FGM.

Signatures by party: Scottish National Party 29, Labour 17, Conservative 3, DUP 3, Labour/Co-operative 2, Plaid Cymru 2, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2, Green 1, Independent 1, Liberal Democrat 1.