Female Genital Mutilation: Coronavirus

(asked on 1st June 2020) - View Source

Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment she has made of the accuracy of the estimate by the UN Population Fund that the covid-19 pandemic could result in an additional 2 million girls worldwide being subject to FGM.


Answered by
Wendy Morton Portrait
Wendy Morton
This question was answered on 8th June 2020

Evidence shows that women and girls’ sexual and reproductive rights (SRHR) are under pressure as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic; this includes progress towards ending Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) by 2030.

We are tracking UNFPA’s estimates and other assessments as they emerge, and are in frequent touch with our partners in countries to monitor the constraints and the barriers women, girls and marginalised groups may be facing as a direct or indirect impact of COVID-19.

UKaid is continuing to support efforts to tackle FGM during the pandemic, including through increased remote working and using media platforms. For example, our £15 million programme in Sudan continues to support advocacy and last month we saw a significant step towards the outlawing of FGM in Sudan.

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