Hartford, Connecticut, 03/19/2024—The recent news that a bill to protect children from female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) in the state of Connecticut (CT) has not been raised in the 2024 legislative session comes as a surprise to many survivors of FGM/C and advocates who have been campaigning for the CT bill to be introduced. The bill that would have been sponsored by Rep. Jilian Gilchrest (D), would create education and outreach programs, issue civil remedies for survivors, and make clear that FGM/C is a criminal offense. Connecticut is only one of nine states left that have no explicit legal protections against FGM/C.
“I’m extremely disappointed that, despite strong support from both sides of the aisle, the bill to protect girls was not raised this session. Protecting the bodily integrity of girls could not be more important especially as we know, anecdotally, that the practice of FGM/C thrives in secret. This bill would have protected girls from the practice but also would have cared for those who have undergone this practice. Not having this bill pushed through puts girls and women in danger and tells them “You are not important”. That is unacceptable in my opinion.” ~ Zehra Patwa, Survivor, CT Resident
Over 2,600 girls are at risk of experiencing FGM/C in Connecticut, and around the country, over half a million women and girls are at risk or are victims of the practice, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Additionally, Connecticut is surrounded by states that have outlawed the practice including New York and Massachusetts, and by not following suit, Connecticut can be a safe haven for people seeking to practice FGM/C on girls in other states.
“We are hearing from survivors of FGM/C who are advocating for this legislation,” said Representative Gilchrest. “Just nine states haven’t addressed FGM/C in state law. Connecticut must take action to address this human rights violation.”
Rep. Gilchrest’s bill would also support efforts to improve healthcare access and sensitivity to the practice and would put education about FGM/C into place to work toward prevention for future generations. Women and girls who have experienced FGM/C often suffer from long-term effects including reproductive issues, painful sex, and mental health impacts. As Connecticut is a leading state in the country for human rights, particularly women’s rights, this lack of bodily autonomy protection by having no state legislation is unprecedented.
The CT Coalition to End FGM/C, a survivor-led coalition, would like to stress the importance of this bill to protect children from FGM/C, a practice recognized globally as a human rights violation and an extreme form of violence against women and girls. We would like to express our disappointment and call on the Connecticut legislature to raise this bill in the 2024 session to make Connecticut the 42nd state to protect children from FGM/C and prioritize women’s and girls’ health and well-being.
Notes to the editor: For media inquiries, please contact the Connecticut Coalition to End FGM/C at info@endfgmcinct.com
About the Connecticut Coalition to End FGM: The CT Coalition to End FGM/C is a survivor-led coalition working to build holistic solutions to support survivors and prevent future generations of children in the State of Connecticut from experiencing FGM/C. We are working with a diverse coalition of stakeholders, advocating for comprehensive legislation that will help protect girls from FGM/C, provide survivors with support services, raise awareness of the harm FGM/C causes, and educate frontline professionals on how to provide culturally specific and sensitive care. In 2020, members of the CT Coalition started a Change.org petition that was signed by over 80,000 individuals calling on CT to pass a law to protect children from FGM/C.