The International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) raises awareness by emphasising that FGM is a dangerous form of gender‑based violence that compromises the wellbeing, safety, and fundamental rights of girls and women. It also calls for concrete action—strengthening legislation, expanding community education, and ensuring long‑term support for the millions of girls who remain at risk.

For practitioners, the International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM serves as an important prompt for adult social care teams to prioritise safeguarding responsibilities, mandatory reporting duties, and appropriate support for both survivors and individuals who may be at risk. While FGM is often associated with children, it is also a serious form of violence against women that can lead to significant and lasting physical and psychological harm. For this reason, it continues to be a crucial element of adult safeguarding, particularly for women with care and support needs.

If you have any concerns and would like to raise a safeguarding alert please contact the Islington Integrated Front Door Team on 020 7527 2299.