Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

SSS Learning 3 min read
Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) feature image

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) remains one of the most serious violations of children’s and women’s rights in the world.

Observed annually on 6 February, the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation is a global call to action against a practice that affects millions of girls and women and causes life-long harm.

According to the United Nations, more than 230 million girls and women alive today have undergone FGM, and millions more remain at risk each year. The practice offers no health benefits, can lead to severe injury, lifelong complications and mental trauma, and is recognised globally as a violation of human rights.

Although the global prevalence is concentrated in parts of Africa, the Middle East and Asia, FGM is a universal safeguarding concern, including here in the UK. The Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003 makes the practice of FGM and related offences illegal in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (with similar legislation in Scotland), and includes provisions to prevent ‘vacation cutting’ where children are taken to have the abuse conducted in another country.

For schools, FGM Day highlights the importance of education, awareness and safeguarding systems to help young people recognise risk and seek help safely. It also reinforces our safeguarding focus on prevention and responding to concerns. Training is essential to ensure professionals are vigilant and know to respond to concerns or incidents effectively. This training should be regularly refreshed to ensure safeguarding against FGM remains firmly on the safeguarding radar.

FGM is often shrouded in secrecy and cultural silence. Many children at risk do not understand what is being planned for them or know how to voice their fears. Schools are uniquely placed to provide:

  • Accurate, evidence-based information in a supportive, safe context
  • Safe support inside school where young people feel able to disclose concer
    • ns
  • Links to external support and reporting pathways through DSL teams, health services and specialist charities
  • These components are vital parts of a strong multi-agency safeguarding culture.

These components are vital parts of a strong multi-agency safeguarding culture.

To support pupil awareness, age-appropriate resources are key, such as: Whole-School Assembly, theme: Rights, Respect and Zero Tolerance

  • Explain what FGM is and why it matters (human rights + health)
  • Use age-appropriate definitions and global UK/statistics context
  • Reinforce the message that if anyone feels unsafe or at risk, they should speak to a trusted adult in school

Key points to include:

  • FGM has no medical justification and is illegal in the UK
  • The practice affects girls and women worldwide

Tutor Time Discussion, theme: Understanding bodily rights and safety

Prompts for reflective conversation:
  • What does bodily autonomy mean?
  • Why is it wrong to harm someone’s body for cultural reasons?
  • Who can we talk to if we are worried about ourselves or a friend?

This supports RSHE statutory content on consent, respect and safeguarding.

PSHE / RSHE Lesson, theme: Human Rights and Harmful Practices

Learning outcomes:

  • Understand what FGM is and why it causes harm
  • Link FGM to broader themes of gender equality and rights
  • Know safeguarding reporting routes

Activities:

  • Case studies (fictional, sensitively framed) on rights and support
  • Vocabulary building: rights, consent, harm, support

(Guiding resources include NGO materials e.g., Freedom Charity or Orchid Project for student-friendly facts and worksheets).

Online Safety / Respect Focus, theme: Respecting Bodies and Boundaries

Include discussions on how culture, rights, and law intersect with safety online and offline. This can be linked to broader safeguarding themes in an online context such as:

  • Respecting physical integrity
  • Recognising harmful practices
  • Challenging gender-based violence

Staff Safeguarding Briefing

Before 6 February, train staff on:

  • What FGM is and how risk may present
  • Mandatory reporting duties and pathways
  • Sensitive, supportive language for disclosure

Whilst the International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM raises our awareness, it is also an opportunity to reflect on practice and our ongoing duty of care to protect the health and wellbeing of our female pupils.

SSS Learning

5 February 2026