Just one Female Genital Mutilation protection order (FGMPO) has been made in Wales [see WAQ below], despite 44 children under the age of 18 highlighted as vulnerable to the practice in 2016. FGMPOs ban those at risk of the practice from being taken outside the UK. Until November 2017, none had been made in Wales.

Janet Finch-Saunders AM, who obtained the data from the Welsh Government via a Written Assembly Question, said:

“Far more must be done to protect our vulnerable girls and women here in Wales.

“With an estimated 2,000 women living with FGM in Wales alone, we must be ever-vigilant of the warning signs, and work to ensure that no girl or woman at risk is taken out of the UK to experience such inhumane, demeaning and degrading treatment.

“We know that many more children are at risk – and I would call on the Welsh Government to do all that they can to protect these young people through FGMPOs, awareness-raising and support groups.

“I commend the work of the Cabinet Secretary for Education in writing to schools to highlight this practice, but do feel that much more can be done.”

ENDS

Notes

WRITTEN ASSEMBLY QUESTION

FOR ANSWER BY

THE LEADER OF THE HOUSE AND CHIEF WHIP
ON 19 FEBRUARY 2018

Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): How many FGM protection orders (FGMPO) have been made in Wales to protect potentially vulnerable young girls? (WAQ75903)

Julie James: The Ministry of Justice collects this information and we understand that Wales has had one FGM Protection Order issued in November 2017.

The Welsh Government does not tolerate any form of violence against women including Female Genital Mutilation and together with our partners, we are working hard to end these harmful practices in Wales.

A case of female genital mutilation is discovered every three days, on average, by maternity staff in Wales – 123 victims of FGM were found by midwives or maternity doctors in 2016.

In 2014-15, charity Bawso supported 788 families affected by FGM in Wales

Welsh Women's Aid have said that data on FGM in Wales is "hard to come by" but estimates that around 2,000 women in Wales are living with FGM.