Briefings and responses

The National FGM Centre (NFGMC) works with local authorities and communities to keep children and young people safe from female genital mutilation (FGM), breast flattening and child abuse linked to faith or belief.

It is vital that local government reflects the communities it represents. However, despite women winning the right to stand in elections over 100 years ago, only 35 per cent of councillors are women.

Councils across the country are doing all they can to safeguard and protect women and girls from all forms of harm. We support a public health approach to tackling serious violent crime against women and girls, which is a key contributor to poor mental health.

There are over 125,000 women in England and Wales estimated to be living with the consequences of FGM.

It is vital that local government reflects the communities it represents. Positively, women make up 76 per cent of employees in the local government workforce

The equal participation of women and men in local politics, as our elected councillors and as our leaders, is an important condition for effective democracy and good governance.

We are committed to helping members improve their diversity and inclusion across all areas and we are working with central government to encourage more women to enter politics.

Councils have a significant and positive impact on the lives of their female residents. As well as encouraging them to enter public life, councils provide a range of services that improve the lives of women.

2.1 The Local Government Association welcomes the opportunity to provide a response to the Government’s consultation on the Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy 2021 to 2024. The following submission outlines our key points on behalf of our membership, although local authorities will also look to respond directly to this consultation.