Why New York’s Laws on Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting Still Leave a Major Gap
By Harshita Dasot Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is a global issue; however, in the United States, it is often incorrectly recognized and associated with only occurring in immigrant communities. In fact, in the United States, over 500,000 women and girls are at risk, with New York having one of the highest populations at over 48,000. […]
Stepping into Advocacy: Reflecting on Maryland’s New FGM/C Law as a Policy Intern
By Harshita Dasot Maryland signed SB907/HB1389 into law on April 14, 2026, strengthening state protections against the human rights violation that is female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). As someone who started as a Policy Intern with Sahiyo in April of this year, my first few days were an incredible introduction to how policy change actually happens. […]
The Data Problem: Why the United States Still Struggles to Measure the Risk of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting
By Harshita Dasot Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is often discussed as a global issue, occurring elsewhere, but in recent years, within the United States, policymakers, healthcare professionals, and advocacy organizations have increasingly recognized that it is also a domestic concern. Despite growing public awareness and stronger legislation, one major challenge shapes nearly every conversation around […]
Harmful Conflations: Why Updated Legislation is Critical to Ending Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) and Protecting Survivors in California
By Karishma Patel On January 28, 2025, President Trump’s executive order titled “Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutiliation” claimed that gender affirming care for transgender youth is the same thing as female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). A Joint Statement by Sahiyo, The U.S. End FGM/C Network, Equality Now, and The World Professional Association for Transgender […]
Washington’s FGM/C Law in Practice: Lessons for Prevention and Implementation
By: Khushi Prakash This blog post is part of a multi-part series exploring how Washington State is implementing Senate Bill 5453 and what these efforts mean for communities, service providers, and survivors. Part One of this series introduced the foundation of the law and Washington’s planned approach to training, prevention, and community engagement. Part Two […]
A victory for the movement: Colombia adopts Latin America’s first law against FGM/C
The Americas Alliance to End FGM/C celebrates the Colombian Congress’s approval of Bill 440 of 2025, which establishes a comprehensive framework for the prevention, response, and eradication of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). Approved by the Senate on June 10, 2026, the legislation marks the first time a country in Latin America has adopted a law […]
What’s Next for the Connecticut Coalition to End FGM/C?
By: Khushi Prakash On May 7th, 2026, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont signed SB 259 into law, marking a historic milestone in the state’s efforts to address female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). With this law, Connecticut became the 42nd state in the nation to enact legislation protecting women and girls from FGM/C. The passage of SB 259 […]
Joint statement regarding hearings related to female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) before the Supreme Court of India
The Global Platform for Action to End FGM/C, the End FGM/C Africa Network, and The Girl Generation: Support to the Africa-led Movement to End FGM/C, issue this joint statement in response to the ongoing hearings before the Supreme Court of India addressing female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). We welcome the fact that this critical human rights […]
How Washington Plans to Train Health Workers and Engage Communities Under Senate Bill 5453
By: Khushi Prakash This blog post is part of a multi-part series that explores how Washington State is implementing Senate Bill 5453 and what these changes mean for communities, service providers, and survivors. Part One focuses on the foundations of the law and how Washington plans to develop training and community engagement strategies as part […]
Connecticut Coalition to End FGM/C Holds Press Conference on Landmark Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting Legislation
By: Khushi Prakash On April 27, 2026, the Connecticut Coalition to End FGM/G, in partnership with the Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity & Opportunity (CWCSEO), held a press conference in front of the Connecticut State Capitol in Hartford. Survivors, advocates, and legislators gathered to raise awareness of Connecticut Raised Bill SB 259. Speakers included: […]