FGM/C in the Americas: 5 things to know about the Inter-American Human Rights hearing
Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is a grave human rights violation that involves the partial or total removal or other injury to the external female genitalia for non-medical reasons. It affects over 230 million women and girls worldwide and occurs on every continent except Antarctica. For far too long, global efforts to address FGM/C have focused […]
The Americas Alliance to Participate in IACHR Public Hearings on FGC in the Americas
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) has announced the public hearings schedule for its 194th Period of Sessions, to be held from November 17 to 21, 2025, at the University of Miami. Over the course of the week, the IACHR will hold 19 public hearings addressing the human rights situation in 14 countries and […]
15 States and DC Join Lawsuit Against Trump’s Executive Order Conflating Gender-Affirming Care and FGM/C
By Hiromi Nishida On August 1, 2025, the states of California, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawai‘i, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Wisconsin joined in a lawsuit against President Trump’s Executive Order (EO) 14187, “Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation”. This EO […]
Aiming for Alaska: The Struggle to Pass Legislation to Protect Children from Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting in Alaska
Alaska is one of nine states remaining in the United States (U.S.) that have yet to pass laws for the prevention and protection of survivors and/or at-risk individuals from female genital cutting (FGC). However, past attempts to pass legislation in the state have been made. Though we are unsure of what circumstances led to these […]
Mississippi is Missing Key Legislation: The Struggle to Pass Legislation Addressing Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting in the State
Mississippi is one of nine states left in the United States that have not yet passed any laws to prevent and protect survivors and at-risk individuals from female genital cutting (FGC). Within the state, 442 girls and women are estimated to have undergone or are at risk of undergoing FGC. Two attempts have been made […]
The History of Addressing Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting in Nebraska
Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is a harmful social norm involving the partial or total removal of female-assigned external genitalia or other injury to the female-assigned genital organs for non-medical reasons. Globally, over 230 million girls and women have undergone FGM/C. FGM/C has a long history in the United States, and currently, over half a million […]
Why We Must Stop H.R. 3492: Protecting Youth and the Movement Against FGM/C
By: Khushi Prakash Congress is currently considering bill H.R. 3492, the Protect Children’s Innocence Act. At first glance, the bill appears to strengthen protections against female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). However, in reality, this bill goes far beyond banning FGM/C by redefining gender-affirming healthcare as “genital or bodily mutilation” and “chemical castration”. If passed, this bill […]
The History of Legislation Addressing Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting in New Mexico
Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is a harmful social norm involving the partial or total removal of female-assigned external genitalia or other injury to the female-assigned genital organs for non-medical reasons. Globally, over 230 million girls and women have undergone FGM/C. FGM/C has a long history in the United States, and currently, over half a million […]
Connecticut Bill Addressing Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting, Senate Bill 1438, Fails to be Raised for a Vote
By: Juliet Shires At the beginning of the 2025 legislative session, passing a bill in Connecticut (CT) protecting children from female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) seemed promising. “An Act Prohibiting Female Genital Mutilation” (SB 1438) marked the first time a bill was raised in the past five years of advocacy by the Connecticut Coalition to End […]
Complicated Attempts in Alabama: Struggles to Address Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting Through Legislation
Alabama is one of nine remaining states in the United States that do not currently have laws to prevent and protect survivors and at-risk individuals from female genital cutting (FGC). Research by the Population Reference Bureau indicates that 1,480 girls and women in Alabama are at risk of undergoing FGC. Another more recent study released […]