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Female Genital Mutilation

The Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003 made it an offence for UK nationals
or permanent UK residents to carry out female genital mutilation abroad, or to
aid, abet, counsel or procure its carrying out abroad, even in countries where
the practice is legal.

In November, the UK developed an ambitious cross-government action plan


for tackling female genital mutilation. Drafted in consultation with civil society
partners, the action plan aims to raise awareness of the issue of female
genital mutilation, its illegality and its severe health consequences to ensure
that professionals intervene to safeguard girls and women at risk. As part of
this strategy, in August we issued guidance to our consular teams in countries
where female genital mutilation is prevalent, to improve the support we offer
to British girls and women at risk of suffering this abuse. Early informal
evaluation has suggested that the guidance has succeeded in raising
awareness of the issue with our overseas staff and improved their confidence
in addressing it. A more formal evaluation is planned for early 2011.

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