References to FGM in Party Manifestos - UK General Election 2015

27 April 2015

A guest blog by 28 Too Many Trustee Karen Walkden.

There is no such thing as an original idea, and so I must acknowledge that I shamelessly borrowed from Mark Healey, Lambeth Hate Crime Prevention Co-ordinator.  A week or so ago he contacted each party fielding candidates in the upcoming general election to ask them what commitments they were making in their manifestos with regard to hate crime.  He then shared their responses on Facebook – including their speed of response to his request.

So what does that have to do with us?  

I’ve just finished reading seven manifesto documents – from each of the main parties – looking for references to female genital mutilation (FGM).  My findings are provided here, together with links to the manifesto documents and the pages where you might find the relevant text.

  • Tackling FGM is specifically mentioned by the Conservatives on p79 of their manifesto.  Violence against women and girls (VAWG) is mentioned on p59.

 

  • The Green Party reference a FGM as part of a UK wide strategy to tackle violence against women, in the section on Equality and Diversity – p25

 

  • The Labour manifesto deals with VAWG as an overall issue and is also strong on promoting women's rights in its international development agenda.  No specific reference to FGM.  See page 54

 

  • The Liberal Democrats specifically mention ending FGM at home and abroad in a generation as well as referencing violence against women and girls – see p119.  On p121 there is reference to training for those in a position to help those at risk. 

 

 

 

  • FGM is referenced in the UKIP manifesto on p61 – in relation to reporting requirements and inclusion of FGM awareness in safeguarding training.  

 

28 Too Many is not politically affiliated to any party.  

We input to the main parties as they formulated their manifestos through our membership of the Gender and Development Network. We contributed to a detailed policy briefing which was presented to each of the main parties. 

In addition the leaders of the Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) Working Group met with Baroness Northover (representing the current Coalition Government) and Seema Malhotra who is the Shadow Minister for Violence against Women to emphasise the need for clear policy on all aspects of VAWG.

After the election we look forward to working with representatives from the new government to continue and improve efforts to tackle FGM and all forms of VAWG both in the UK and internationally.

 

Karen Walkden

Vice Chair of the Trustees – 28 Too Many

April 2015

 

You can learn more about our work to end FGM and how you can help at www.28toomany.org. You can donate to support our research and campaigns and follow us on Facebook or Twitter for updates on the global movement to end FGM.