By Enda Yuliana and Rosa Grenfell
Every 6th of February, the world marks the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), a reminder that the fight for women and girls’ bodily autonomy, dignity, and safety is far from over.
This year, staff members from JustRight Scotland (JRS) facilitated a workshop on Legal Rights and FGM Protection Orders as part of the FGM Awareness Event organised by the Women’s Support Project.
The event brought together community members, professionals, and advocates to raise awareness, share knowledge, and strengthen collective efforts to prevent FGM and support those affected by it.
The event was coordinated around four thematic discussion groups, each hosted at its own table:
- Maternity (Blossom Service, NHSGGC)
- Engaging with Men (Community InfoSource)
- Engaging with & Supporting Women (British Red Cross & Women’s Support Project)
- Legal Rights/FGM Orders (Just Right Scotland)
MSP Kaukab Stewart, Minister for Equalities, introduced the day with an update from the Scottish Government on the work being done to implement the Female Genital Mutilation (Protection and Guidance) (Scotland) Act 2020. The Minister addressed concerns that this act, which introduced new measures to strengthen protections for women and girls at risk of FGM, had yet to be implemented 6 years later. The Minister gave an insight into the key challenges to the implementation of the guidance and emphasised the importance of collaboration and multi-agency cooperation.
The national aim is for this legislation to be in place by the end of 2026. Meeting that timeline is important, as the protections it introduces for women and girls cannot take effect until implementation is complete.
What is the FGM?
FGM is defined as any cutting, removal or injury to a girl’s or woman’s genital organs for non-medical purposes. FGM has been unlawful in Scotland since the Prohibition of Female Circumcision Act 1985. The current legislation, the Prohibition of FGM (Scotland) Act 2005 as amended, makes it unlawful for a person to carry out FGM procedures on another person or to assist, encourage or arrange FGM on another person. This legislation strengthened the protections and introduced extra-territorial effect, regardless of where the FGM occurs. Understanding this definition underscores why awareness, legal protection and multi-agency collaboration are so crucial in safeguarding girls and women.
More information about FGM in Scotland, are available here.
Insights from the event
First-round table: Sharing examples of FGM work and what works well
The first round‑table discussion invited attendees to share the work they are currently doing to address FGM and to reflect on approaches that have been effective. Many participants found it challenging to identify what is working well, as organisations across the sector are facing similar barriers, including:
- Limited resources and funding
- Lack of confidence and expertise to engage with families effectively
- Lack of training for practitioners and within the community
Despite the challenges, the discussion also highlighted the meaningful work already taking place. It underscore the importance of investing in relationships with community groups and organisers who are leading much of this work on the ground.
Second-round table: Priorities for the Future
In this session, attendees were invited to develop ideas for activities that could help raise awareness of FGM and support the implementation of the legislative guidance and FGM Protection Orders.
Laura Nairn, Solicitor from the Scottish Women’s Rights Centre (SWRC) at JustRight Scotland, delivered a workshop on Legal Rights and FGM Orders. She provided an overview of the 2020 Act and outlined how these orders can be applied for and enforced, providing critical legal safeguards for girls and women at risk.
What is an FGM Protection Order?
Under the FGM (Protection and Guidance) (Scotland) Act 2020, an FGM Protection Order is a civil court order designed to protect girls or women who are at risk of or have already been subjected to FGM.
The order is primarily preventive, allowing the court to take action before harm occurs and to impose any conditions necessary to protect the individual. These conditions may include restricting travel, requiring the surrender of passports or travel documents, prohibiting violent or threatening conduct, or putting other protective measures in place based on the level of risk. It will also be possible to request an Interim Order, which can be granted quickly in urgent situations without notification before the full case is considered.
Under the legislation, breaching an FGM Protection Order (FGMPO) is a criminal offence and can result in penalties such as fine or imprisonment, reinforcing its role as a serious legal tool for early intervention and protection.
There are key differences between FGMPO and other protective orders. FGMPO focuses on early intervention and can be applied for by various parties:
- The person at risk
- person on whom such an act has been performed
- the Lord Advocate
- a relevant local authority
- the chief constable
- with the leave of the court only, any other person.
Please note that this legislation has not been implemented yet.
Access to Justice
During her contribution, Laura emphasised that while FGMPOs will be an essential tool once the legislation is implemented, their effectiveness may be limited by significant barriers to justice. One of these barriers is the Legal Aid Crisis. Due to a shortage of legal aid lawyers, many people across Scotland are having difficulty finding solicitors and obtaining legal advice. Laura then led a discussion about the priorities for FGM awareness and planning activities in the lead up to the implementation of the 2020 Act.
Based on the challenges identified in the group discussion, participants explored practical steps and agreed on the following key priorities to effectively prevent and respond to FGM:
- Develop practical tools and guidance
A toolkit to support practitioners, with clear guidance on actions to take when concerns exist but evidence is uncertain.
- Invest in training and education
Provide more training and confidence-building for frontline staff and raise awareness in communities and among professionals. An individual-centred, trauma-informed approach requires professionals to have adequate training to respond sensitively and effectively.
- Strengthen multi-agency collaboration and community engagement
Focus on joint engagement rather than simple signposting, prioritise advocacy-led approaches as the first step, and invest in relationships with community groups. Use technology and social media to support community networking.
Ultimately, the discussion highlighted that ending FGM requires a shared understanding, clear statutory guidance and strong partnership across sectors, alongside meaningful community engagement. Success depends on investing in awareness, professional training and locally grounded support, all reinforced by national leadership to ensure consistent and effective protection for those at risk.
Ending female genital mutilation (FGM) needs more than just rules; it needs teamwork. With guidance, training and communities in the lead, change is possible.
Whether you have been affected by female genital mutilation or you are worried that you might be forced to undergo the procedure, you can get support from the Scottish Women Rights Centre (SWRC). At SWRC, we offer confidential advice and assistance to women in Scotland who are facing gender-based violence, including FGM.
You do not have to go through this alone. Learn more about the support and services we offer: SWRC services.
