International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt has announced new UK funding to support the African-led movement to end female genital mutilation (FGM).
Commenting, Anne Quesney — an advisor on violence against women and girls at ActionAid UK — said:
“The UK government is making a vital effort to provide much needed support to ending one of the most extreme forms of violence against women and girls. ActionAid particularly welcomes the commitment to investing in the work of grassroots organisations, and activists who have been leading the global movement to end FGM for several decades.
"Three million girls in Africa are still at risk of FGM each year. From our work in nine African countries, we have seen how this life-threatening practice not only impacts on girls lives and health, it limits their futures. Many girls never return to school and are forced into early marriage, for example.
"However, focusing on FGM alone is not enough. Violence against women and girls is one of the most widespread human rights abuses, affecting millions of women and girls worldwide and it happens because of deep rooted beliefs that they are inferior to men.
"If we seriously want to eliminate violence against women and girls, we urgently need a holistic, well-resourced approach to tackling gender inequality more widely.”
ENDS
For further information, contact the media team: claire.wilkinson@actionaid.org, alice.gillham@actionaid.org, or charlotte.clarke@actionaid.org; or if out of hours, on +44 (0) 7753 973 486.
Notes to editors
1. ActionAid works with women and girls living in poverty. Our dedicated local staff are helping end violence against women and girls and changing lives, for good. We won’t stop until women and girls are out of danger, out of poverty and on track to create the future they want.