Petition · past parliament · Home Office

Change Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in law to Female Genital Cutting (FGC)

Closed 2,190 signatures

What the petition asks

I am a British citizen who survived Female genital cutting back in Somalia. The name Female Genital Mutilation is not a name that all victims and survivors relate to, and in fact being labelling mutilated can contribute to a victim's mental health and insecurities. We aren’t mutilated.
I am asking the Government to change the name in legislation from Female Genital Mutilation to Female Genital Cutting, which is how the practice is commonly known around the world. We believe the term mutilation does not help survivors. because of a fear of being seen as mutilated. Too many women and young girls live in silence because of a fear of judgement. We are not mutilated. Mutilation is a bad label.

Timeline

24 Feb 2022 Petition opened for signatures
24 Aug 2022 Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 2,190
Status Closed
Department Home Office
Opened 24 Feb 2022
Closed 24 Aug 2022

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.