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Chamber and committees

University of Aberdeen Paves Way to End Female Genital Mutilation with World’s First University Course

  • Submitted by: Tess White, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party.
  • Date lodged: Tuesday, 09 April 2024
  • Motion reference: S6M-12739

That the Parliament recognises the University of Aberdeen as the only university in the world that educates learners exclusively on female genital mutilation (FGM); understands that more than 1,000 students have already completed the four-week online course, covering all aspects of FGM, from the physiological and psychological consequences of FGM, to the legal aspects of health and social care; notes that the course is open to health and social care professionals, educators, police and anyone with an interest in women and girls’ health and ending FGM; understands that the FutureLearn course was developed following a University of Aberdeen survey of UK medical schools, which suggested that graduating medical students felt underprepared to deal with FGM in a professional capacity; recognises that female genital mutilation was made illegal in the UK in 1985, but that it is thought that more than 100,000 women and girls live with the effects in the UK today, and congratulates the University of Aberdeen on leading the way with what it sees as this ground-breaking course.


Supported by: Karen Adam, Clare Adamson, Jeremy Balfour, Miles Briggs, Alexander Burnett, Jackson Carlaw, Maggie Chapman, Sharon Dowey, Pam Duncan-Glancy, Tim Eagle, Russell Findlay, Meghan Gallacher, Maurice Golden, Pam Gosal, Jamie Greene, Dr. Sandesh Gulhane, Craig Hoy, Liam Kerr, Bill Kidd, Douglas Lumsden, Roz McCall, Ivan McKee, Stuart McMillan, Edward Mountain, Audrey Nicoll, Douglas Ross, Paul Sweeney, Sue Webber, Annie Wells, Brian Whittle