Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Female Genital Mutilation

Thursday 5 February 2026 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Patricia Ferguson asked the Solicitor General about actions to increase awareness and use of FGM protection orders to prevent female genital mutilation.
  • The Solicitor General announced a pilot in four police forces to test multi-agency approaches to managing FGM protection orders.
  • Alicia Kearns inquired about legal actions to protect children from dangerous exorcisms sold by practitioners who also perform FGM.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Patricia Ferguson Lab Glasgow West
Crime & Law Enforcement Women & Equalities
Context

FGM is a hidden practice that affects many women and girls, making it challenging to increase prosecution rates. FGM protection orders can help prevent the act both domestically and abroad.

Question

By its nature, FGM is a hidden tragedy for many women and girls, and increasing prosecution rates is crucial. Emphasising and publicising the use of FGM protection orders could enhance prevention efforts in all UK jurisdictions. Will the Solicitor General advise what action can be taken to make these orders better known?

Answer from The Solicitor General

We are launching a pilot in four police forces to test multi-agency approaches to managing FGM protection orders. A whole-system approach is fundamental to tackling FGM and increasing prosecutions. In the spring, we will host a ministerial roundtable on FGM with every Department involved.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide specific actions regarding publicising or making known the use of FGM protection orders as requested.

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Q2 Alicia Kearns Con Rutland and Stamford
Crime & Law Enforcement Women & Equalities
Context

Practitioners selling FGM often also sell exorcisms for children, leading to thousands of child fatalities over the past decade in the UK's black African community.

Question

Many practitioners who sell FGM also sell dangerous exorcisms that have led to numerous child deaths in the UK. What legal actions are being considered to protect these children?

Answer from The Solicitor General

This Government is committed to tackling violence against women and girls in every form, which is why we announced our cross-Government strategy for tackling VAWG in December. I will speak to colleagues across the Home Office and Ministry of Justice to address these points.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide specific legal actions regarding exorcism-related deaths, instead mentioning a broad cross-Government strategy.

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