References

Council of Europe. Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence. 2011. https://tinyurl.com/4xbzvxpu (accessed 26 June 2024)

Courts and Tribunals Judiciary. Sentencing remarks in R v N (Female Genital Mutilation). 2019. https://tinyurl.com/yz7jcve3 (accessed 26 June 2024)

Courts and Tribunals Judiciary. Sentencing remarks in R v Noor. 2024. https://tinyurl.com/y6vnm6ju (accessed 26 June 2024)

Home J, Rowland A, Gerry F, Proudman C, Walton K A review of the law surrounding female genital mutilation protection orders. Br J Midwifery. 2020; 28:(7)418-429 https://doi.org/10.12968/bjom.2020.28.7.418

Malik Y, Rowland A, Gerry F, Phipps FMV Mandatory reporting of female genital mutilation in children in the UK. Br J Midwifery. 2018; 26:(6)377-386 https://doi.org/10.12968/bjom.2018.26.6.377

National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. Female genital mutilation (FGM). 2024. https://tinyurl.com/3442hpma (accessed 8 July 2024)

NHS Digital. Female genital mutilation, July – September 2023. 2023. https://tinyurl.com/32anrc3c (accessed 26 June 2024)

Nursing and Midwifery Council. The code. 2015. https://tinyurl.com/k8m4vtjz (accessed 26 June 2024)

Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. A/HRC/56/29: Cross-border and transnational female genital mutilation - Report of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. 2024. https://tinyurl.com/3w3uh33r (accessed 8 July 2024)

Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Female genital mutilation and its management. 2015. https://tinyurl.com/bdcvy25u (accessed 8 July 2024)

Central Criminal Court. 2019;

Central Criminal Court. 2024;

UK Government. Female genital mutilation (FGM) protection orders. 2016. https://tinyurl.com/3avvcucr (accessed 26 June 2024)

UK Government. Get a female genital mutilation protection order. 2017. https://tinyurl.com/5c4te9k4 (accessed 8 July 2024)

UK Government. Female genital mutilation (FGM): migrant health guide. 2021. https://tinyurl.com/44csjab4 (accessed 26 June 2024)

United Nations. Sustainable development goal 5: achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. 2015. https://tinyurl.com/yrc24s9r (accessed 26 June 2024)

United Nations. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. 2020. https://tinyurl.com/y25hpze5 (accessed 26 June 2024)

United Nations. Ending female genital mutilation by 2030. 2024. https://tinyurl.com/mke2mse7 (accessed 26 June 2024)

World Health Organization. WHO guidelines on the management of health complications from female genital mutilation. 2016. https://tinyurl.com/3ed7zz7t (accessed 26 June 2024)

World Health Organization. Female genital mutilation fact sheet. 2024. https://tinyurl.com/2auh5vdd (accessed 26 June 2024)

R v Noor: a landmark case in female genital mutilation prosecution

02 August 2024
Volume 32 · Issue 8

Abstract

This article on the case of R v Noor (2024) discusses the second successful UK prosecution under the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003, marking a significant legal precedent in addressing female genital mutilation. It underscores the critical role of midwives in detecting, reporting and caring for victims, highlighting the intersection of healthcare, law and ethics in combating this practice. By examining the case of Amina Noor, who took a child abroad for female genital mutilation, the article elucidates the legal ramifications of such acts. It stresses the importance of midwifery awareness, education and collaboration with legal entities to protect women and girls. The article advocates for continuous professional development, the use of legal tools such as female genital mutilation protection orders and a Commissioner to prevent female genital mutilation, emphasising the collective responsibility of healthcare professionals in eradicating this harmful practice and safeguarding vulnerable individuals.

The landmark case of R v Noor (2024), which resulted in a conviction under the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003, marks a critical juncture in the legal landscape of female genital mutilation prosecution in the UK. This was the first time that a conviction for assisting female genital mutilation outside the UK has taken place; the first conviction was the case of R v N (2019) (Courts and Tribunals Judiciary, 2019). This case underscores the vital role of midwives in identifying, reporting and providing care for victims of female genital mutilation, as well as their potential involvement in legal processes. It also highlights the complexities of female genital mutilation as a socio-cultural, legal and medical issue, emphasising the importance of midwifery practice in safeguarding women and girls. This case serves as a call to action for midwives to enhance their awareness, education and collaborative efforts with legal authorities to protect vulnerable individuals from female genital mutilation.

Register now to continue reading

Thank you for visiting British Journal of Midwifery and reading some of our peer-reviewed resources for midwives. To read more, please register today. You’ll enjoy the following great benefits:

What's included

  • Limited access to our clinical or professional articles

  • New content and clinical newsletter updates each month