UK to provide £50 million to tackle female genital mutilation in Africa

The UK will provide £50 million of aid funding to tackle the brutal practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) across Africa.

The package will help support a movement to end FGM and support vulnerable girls in some of the world’s poorest countries.

The money – which officials said was the biggest single investment worldwide by any international donor – will boost a drive to end the practice by 2030.

International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt (pictured) said: “Somewhere in the world, every seven seconds, a girl is at risk of FGM.

“Inspirational, courageous African women are leading efforts to end the practice in their own countries, and thanks to them, more communities are starting to abandon the practice.

“But progress is at a critical juncture and we must work to protect the millions of girls that are still at risk of being cut. We also can’t end FGM in the UK without ending it globally.

“I am proud UK aid is supporting the growing Africa-led movement against FGM and empowering women and girls in some of the world’s poorest countries to stand against the practice.

“Together, we can build a safer, healthier and more prosperous world for every child.”

The funding will be spent on work to change attitudes, support grassroots initiatives, work with the United Nations and governments to outlaw the practice , and support for medics.

A total of £15 million will go towards expanding the Department for International Development’s work in Sudan, where prevalence of FGM is high but attitudes are starting to change.

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