By Nareen Pogozelski
On November 1, 2025, the DMV Coalition to End FGM/C — a regional coalition of organizations working to end gender-based violence in Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia, of which Sahiyo is a member — had the privilege of presenting our bill proposal at the 30th Annual Maryland Legislative Agenda for Women (MLAW) Conference. For those unfamiliar, the Maryland Legislative Agenda for Women, or MLAW, is a statewide, nonpartisan coalition that advocates for legislation and policies supporting the well-being of Maryland women and families.
Following the recent passage of Washington D.C.’s more holistic FGM/C law — D.C. Code § 22–1431, enacted in April 2025 — and Virginia’s implementation of FGM/C education within K–12 health curricula and service providers programs, it is imperative that Maryland similarly strengthens its existing law to remain aligned with D.C. and Virginia.
Maryland’s law should be updated to include two primary provisions:
1) Vacation-cutting, which would prohibit the transport of a girl out of state for the purpose of undergoing FGM/C
2) Education and community outreach, mandating the implementation of FGM/C training for service providers and the inclusion of FGM/C education in K–12 health curricula.
The Preparation
Compared to its neighboring jurisdictions, Maryland currently has a less comprehensive legal framework offering protections to girls at risk of FGM/C. In late September, the DMV Coalition learned of the MLAW Conference, scheduled for November 1, 2025. From the moment we learned about the conference, the coalition began to draft a bill to present on November 1st, and started cold emailing legislators in search of a sponsor.
Over the course of several weeks, the DMV Coalition contacted nearly 80 Maryland legislators to request virtual meetings. By the weekend of the conference, the Coalition had spoken with five representatives across both the House and Senate. However, without having secured a sponsor for the bill, the Coalition approached the conference in a state of limbo.
The Conference
Karen McDonnell of George Washington University and Djessou Kouyate of Inter-African Committee-USA represented the DMV Coalition, arriving early at the Meeting House on November 1st. Greeted by tables of resources and a continental breakfast, attendees filled a foyer packed with people invested in the progression of women’s rights in Maryland. The energy was electric — tables were full, attendees sat on the floor, and genuine engagement filled the room.
Of the 21 bills chosen to be presented, Karen and Djessou presented the DMV Coalition’s SAFE Act (Statutory Amendments for FGM/C Enforcement Act) third. Utilizing their three-minute time limit to its fullest potential, they advocated for a critical update to Maryland’s FGM/C prevention laws to ensure that the state’s legislation remains holistic and responsive to current challenges.
The clear engagement from policy leaders was encouraging. Their questions about the act highlighted a shared urgency to address the limitations currently seen at the federal level. Among the leaders present at the conference were prominent figures advancing equitable policies at the state level. Here, Karen and Djessou had the opportunity to meet Delegate Dana Jones in person — a herald of what was to come in the following weeks — leaving the conference feeling energized and more committed than ever to building a more equitable Maryland.
Securing a Sponsor and Moving Forward
Through continued correspondence, the DMV Coalition scheduled a follow-up meeting in mid-November with Delegate Jones and her Chief of Staff, where several coalition members were able to discuss the bill proposal. While all the legislators we met with previously exhibited an interest in learning more about the issue, Jones’ desire to understand and be involved in piloting this cause was unmistakable. As a former women’s studies major and the current President of the Maryland General Assembly’s Women’s Caucus, her role as the primary sponsor of the SAFE Act is particularly fitting.
Delegate Jones enlisted her friend and colleague, Senator Sara Love, to act as the bill’s cross-file reference in the Senate. As a distinguished attorney practicing in public interest law with a focus on social justice advocacy, Senator Love, alongside Delegate Jones, provides a compelling blend of experience in both legal and legislative arenas — a dynamic and energetic duo that the DMV Coalition is excited to continue working alongside.
What began as a race against the clock to present at MLAW became a powerful reminder of what is possible when advocacy, expertise, and political will align. With the SAFE Act now moving forward and strong legislative champions leading the way, the DMV Coalition remains committed to ensuring that Maryland’s response to FGM/C is comprehensive, preventative, and grounded in education and community engagement. This work is ongoing — and the coalition is prepared to carry this momentum forward through the upcoming legislative session.
