End FGM Campaign

900. Fahma Mohamed

Her tireless campaigning has contributed to a requirement for health and social care professionals, social workers, and teachers in England and Wales to report known cases of FGM in girls under the age of 18 to the police. Fahma began campaigning at the age of 14 after attending an after-school session about FGM. Her petition calling on the Government to remind all schools of their duty to safeguard girls from the practice attracted 250,000 signatures and support from the then UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and Malala Yousafzai. In 2014 the former Education Secretary Michael Gove visited Fahma’s school and then invited her into the department for a meeting on her work. As a result of these meetings, he wrote to all schools to bring their attention to the updated guidance on FGM. In 2016 Fahma became one of the youngest people in the UK to receive an honorary degree when she awarded a doctorate of law by Bristol University.

In a personal letter to Fahma, Prime Minister Theresa May said:

“Through your tireless campaigning you have demonstrated an inspiring commitment to tackling the harmful practice of Female Genital Mutilation. Your exceptional work, which has contributed to the requirement that public sector workers identify and support girls at risk, is a testament to your remarkable dedication and perseverance.”