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:
- State Representative Jillian Gilchrest
- Representative Kennedy, Rosemary Lopez of CWCSEO
- Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz
- Zehra Patwa, survivor and founder of WeSpeakOut
- Dr. Joan Combellick
- Jo Keogh, founding member of the Connecticut Coalition to End FGM/C
Together, they emphasized the importance of survivor-centered policy, community education, and legislative action in protecting girls and women in Connecticut.
The briefing also included an art installation of 2,600 cutouts of women and girls, representing the number of individuals at risk in the state for FGM/C in the state. This visual display served as a powerful reminder that FGM/C affects communities here in the United States. The full press briefing is available for viewing here.
The event came at a critical moment in the bill’s progress. SB 259 had already passed the Senate on April 21, 2026, and the press conference helped maintain momentum as the bill moved through the House. The following day, on April 28, 2026, the House voted favorably on SB 259, making Connecticut the 42nd state to have protections for at-risk women and girls against FGM/C.
The bill now goes to the Governor’s Desk to be signed!