{"id":48641,"date":"2014-10-10T23:00:00","date_gmt":"2014-10-10T23:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?guid=adf7c0909e212021b83af898de8a38cf"},"modified":"2014-10-10T23:00:00","modified_gmt":"2014-10-10T23:00:00","slug":"press-release-new-funding-for-fgm-and-forced-marriage-prevention-announced","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?p=48641","title":{"rendered":"Press release: New funding for FGM and forced marriage prevention announced"},"content":{"rendered":"
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To mark International Day of the Girl (11 October), \u00a3330k of funding to help tackle female genital mutilation (FGM<\/abbr>) and forced marriage head on has been committed by the government today.<\/p>\n

The funding will be used to extend a number of projects that provide expertise and support services in some of the most at risk areas of the country to help eradicate this abhorrent practice.<\/p>\n

This furthers the commitment made by the Prime Minister in July to galvanise international efforts to combat FGM<\/abbr> and forced marriage.<\/p>\n

Minister for Women and Equalities Nicky Morgan said:<\/p>\n

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All women, whether young or old, have the right to live their life free from violence, without being forced into marriage or experiencing the lifelong physical and psychological effects of female genital mutilation.<\/p>\n

These horrific practices are a violation of the rights of girls and women across the world, including here in the UK.<\/p>\n

This funding will offer further much needed support and guidance to those at risk or surviving, while reinforcing to communities that this practice will not be tolerated.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The money announced today will be split between three important groups of projects addressing both FGM<\/abbr> and forced marriage:<\/p>\n

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  1. \n

    \u00a3100,000 will go to the Forced Marriage Unit to be directed at community work to support victims and survivors of forced marriage.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  2. \n

    \u00a380,000 to the Department for Communities and Local Government\u2019s community champions fund who will work with local faith leaders to promote messages during faith meetings; supporting girls at risk to speak out; work with media to tackle attitudes that perpetuate these crimes; and work with local areas to ensure that their services are sensitive to needs of those in need.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  3. \n

    \u00a3150,000 for community engagement in at risk areas led by the Department for Communities and Local Government. <\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Home Secretary Theresa May said:<\/p>\n

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    The UK government stands shoulder to shoulder with campaigners across the globe in our commitment to eradicating violence against women and girls.<\/p>\n

    We have already criminalised forced marriage, strengthening protection for victims and sending a clear message to perpetrators that it is entirely unacceptable.<\/p>\n

    New funding for our world-leading Forced Marriage Unit will help us to rehabilitate more survivors, educate more professionals about the new legislation, and strengthen our work with faith groups to reinforce the message that forced marriage is not condoned by any major religion.<\/p>\n

    Together, we will continue to fight to protect girls whose education, freedom and ambition is at risk of being curtailed by unwanted marriage.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

    The government has already made a number of commitments to clamp down on these issues including more education and support in schools, a clearer law on those who fail to prevent their child being subjected to FGM<\/abbr>, granting victims of FGM<\/abbr> lifelong anonymity and an improved police response to FGM<\/abbr>. <\/p>\n

    Minister for Communities Stephen Williams said: <\/p>\n

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    Female genital mutilation is an horrific practice that has no basis either in religion or in this country and whilst the practice is rare I want to see it eradicated. This is why the government is announcing the tripling of funding today to tackling female genital mutilation, as well as forced marriage. Part of this funding will be spent on local projects and a network of champions who will work in communities where girls are most at risk of genital mutilation to best target our efforts at ending this vile practice.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

    These projects will be expected to deliver against a tough set of criteria including:<\/p>\n