On Tuesday 6th February the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) to End Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), which is co-chaired by Zac Goldsmith MP and Jess Phillips MP, hosted a joint event with the Coalition for Global Prosperity to mark the Day of Zero Tolerance for the abusive practice. The evening brought together leading voices from across government, grassroots campaigns and healthcare to discuss how the UK Aid can continue to change attitudes and support women who have been affected by FGM.

As host for the evening, Mr Goldsmith introduced Harriet Baldwin MP, Minister of State at the Department for International Development and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, whose opening remarks reaffirmed the UK’s leading role in the fight against FGM.

Speaking at the event, Mr Goldsmith thanked the Coalition for Global Prosperity, who partnered with the APPG to organise the event:

“The Coalition for Global Prosperity is a great organisation doing essential work. These sorts of events are so important for highlighting how important it is that we maintain our commitment to providing smart and effective British aid.”

Theo Clarke, CEO of the Coalition for Global Prosperity, thanked attendees for their shared determination to end abuse towards women and girls, on a day which also marked the centenary of women’s suffrage in the UK:

“Britain is leading the fight against FGM which is something to be proud of. Our country is the single largest contributor to charities and agencies that are tackling this abuse around the world and this is an excellent example of UK Aid that is directly helping those in need. Through supporting survivors and working alongside African-led grassroots movements, the UK can help put an end to the harmful practice at home and abroad.”

Anti-FGM campaigner Nimco Ali, who also sits on the APPG to End FGM and spoke at the evening said:

“Ending FGM by 2030 is a possibility thanks to UKAid. The Coalition for Global Prosperity is working across the board to ensure we keep up the commitment to the issue and deliver a world free of FGM by co-hosting events such as this.”

Formed in October 2017, members of the APPG to End FGM include: Nicky Morgan, Tulip Siddiq. Lynne Featherstone, Tan Dhesi, Helen Whately, Peter Aldous, David Amess, Jeremy Lefroy, Julian Lewis, James Cleverly, Rosena Allin-Khan, Hannah Bardell, Jacob Rees-Mogg, Caroline Lucas, Nusrat Ghani, Stephen Crabb and Tim Farron, with advisory support from survivor activist Nimco Ali, the NSPCC and women’s group Donor Direct Action.

The new APPG announced its aims were to ensure that:

1. Robust systems are in place at every level in society to ensure that FGM never happens

2. All survivors are fully supported medically and psychologically

3. International aid from the UK government to end FGM globally is efficiently and effectively invested.