6 February is the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). It is a global opportunity to focus attention on prevention, protection and the rights of girls and women.
For Freedom Charity’s current overview of FGM, safeguarding, UK law, school resources and routes to help, see our main FGM guide.
What is FGM?
The World Health Organization defines FGM as procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs, for non-medical reasons. FGM has no health benefits and can cause immediate and long-term physical and psychological harm.
More than 230 million girls and women alive today have undergone FGM in countries where the practice is concentrated, and millions more are estimated to be at risk each year.
Source: World Health Organization: Female genital mutilation.
What should schools and professionals do?
Awareness must lead to safe action. Schools and professionals should know the warning signs, follow current safeguarding procedures and avoid actions that could increase risk. In England and Wales, regulated health and social care professionals and teachers also have a specific duty to report known cases of FGM in girls under 18 to the police.
Freedom Charity provides PSHE and safeguarding resources to help schools discuss FGM safely and clearly.
Prevention should start before crisis
Children need language they can understand, trusted adults who know how to respond, and clear routes to help. Prevention is not a one-day campaign. It depends on education, professional confidence and early safeguarding throughout the year.
Freedom’s Cut Flowers book and education resources help schools explore FGM, safeguarding and help-seeking in an age-appropriate way. The Red Triangle campaign against FGM gives supporters a visible way to start conversations about prevention.
Need help?
If you are worried that someone may be at risk of FGM, see Freedom Charity’s helpline and support information. In an emergency, call 999.
Reviewed September 2026 against current WHO information and UK safeguarding guidance.