FGM Legislation by State

Currently, there is anti-FGM legislation in only 41 states, meaning that 9 STATES HAVE YET TO CRIMINALIZE FGM. The majority of states that do have FGM legislation can strengthen their legislation to further protect the girls in their state.

FGM Legislation by State

Currently, there is anti-FGM legislation in only 41 states, meaning that 9 STATES HAVE YET TO CRIMINALIZE FGM. The majority of states that do have FGM legislation can strengthen their legislation to further protect the girls in their state.

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*Information for number of women and girls at risk of FGM are estimates from Female Genital Cutting/Mutilation (FGM/C) in the United States: A Study of the Prevalence, Distribution, and Impact of FGM/C in the U.S., 2015-2019


READ OUR REPORT ON FGM/C IN THE U.S. A STUDY OF THE PREVALENCE, DISTRIBUTION, AND IMPACT OF FGM/C IN THE U.S., 2015-2019


STUDY FACT SHEETS FOR MOST STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Strong State Legislation Against FGM Protects Lives

 

Federal legislation that protects girls from FGM is not enough.
State legislation can do much more to protect girls in each state because it will:

 

Send a STRONG MESSAGE THAT FGM WILL NOT BE TOLERATED in the state.

 

GIVE PROSECUTORS THE TOOLS and access to resources to bring perpetrators to justice.

 

Signal to state prosecutors that FGM IS A CRIME that must be prosecuted.

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Fill gaps in federal legislation such as EDUCATION AND OUTREACH TARGETED TO AT RISK COMMUNITIES and the professionals likely to encounter girls at risk of FGM.

 

PREVENT GIRLS BEING TRAFFICKED ACROSS STATE BORDERS to perform FGM.

  • "The legislation (against FGM) was bipartisan because representatives on both sides of the aisle were shocked by the fact that female genital mutilation was taking place in Michigan. As we learned more about what happened, we all understood how important it was to address this human rights issue immediately. We achieved bipartisan support for the bills through numerous conversations to ensure that we carefully vetted all the details of the bills and through talking to fellow legislators about the issue."

     

     
    Stephanie Chang
    State Legislator in Michigan’s House of Representatives

  • "When I heard Ayaan Hirsi Ali talking to Tucker Carlson on Fox News about the case in Michigan, I was so horrified that I immediately reviewed our existing state laws to determine whether this could happen in Texas. While we had laws against the practice of FGM, we did not have anything in law to punish those who help facilitate the FGM practice by transporting girls to undergo this gruesome act. I introduced legislation. Every woman in the Texas Senate signed on as a joint author, and we overwhelmingly approved a new law making it a felony to transport girls for FGM procedures. I am so grateful for Ms. Hirsi Ali for courageously speaking out about this important issue. There is no place in our society for this barbaric practice.

     
    Senator Jane Nelson
    Texas
  • Beth Watters

    "With girls at risk in Massachusetts, we felt it was key to have state legislation as one of the many tools needed to fight female genital mutilation. The AHA Foundation has been a significant resource and guide in helping us navigate the process."

     
    Beth Watters
    Massachusetts Women’s Bar Association

Strong State Legislation Against FGM Protects Lives

 

Federal legislation that protects girls from FGM is not enough.
State legislation can do much more to protect girls in each state because it will:

Send a STRONG MESSAGE THAT FGM WILL NOT BE TOLERATED in the state.

GIVE PROSECUTORS THE TOOLS and access to resources to bring perpetrators to justice.

Signal to state prosecutors that FGM IS A CRIME that must be prosecuted.

Fill gaps in federal legislation such as EDUCATION AND OUTREACH TARGETED TO AT RISK COMMUNITIES and the professionals likely to encounter girls at risk of FGM.

PREVENT GIRLS BEING TRAFFICKED ACROSS STATE BORDERS to perform FGM.

“The legislation (against FGM) was bipartisan because representatives on both sides of the aisle were shocked by the fact that female genital mutilation was taking place in Michigan.

Read more

As we learned more about what happened, we all understood how important it was to address this human rights issue immediately. We achieved bipartisan support for the bills through numerous conversations to ensure that we carefully vetted all the details of the bills and through talking to fellow legislators about the issue.”

 

Stephanie Chang

State Legislator in Michigan’s House of Representatives

“When I heard Ayaan Hirsi Ali talking to Tucker Carlson on Fox News about the case in Michigan, I was so horrified that I immediately reviewed our existing state laws to determine whether this could happen in Texas.

Read more

While we had laws against the practice of FGM, we did not have anything in law to punish those who help facilitate the FGM practice by transporting girls to undergo this gruesome act. I introduced legislation. Every woman in the Texas Senate signed on as a joint author, and we overwhelmingly approved a new law making it a felony to transport girls for FGM procedures. I am so grateful for Ms. Hirsi Ali for courageously speaking out about this important issue. There is no place in our society for this barbaric practice.”

 

Senator Jane Nelson

Texas

“The legislation (against FGM) was bipartisan because representatives on both sides of the aisle were shocked by the fact that female genital mutilation was taking place in Michigan.

Read more

As we learned more about what happened, we all understood how important it was to address this human rights issue immediately. We achieved bipartisan support for the bills through numerous conversations to ensure that we carefully vetted all the details of the bills and through talking to fellow legislators about the issue.”

 

Beth Watters

Massachusetts Women’s Bar Association

You can help end FGM today. Use the power of your voice.

HELP AHA FOUNDATION STOP FGM IN THE U.S.

 

Urge your state legislature to pass the AHA Foundation’s model FGM state legislation.
To find out how you can help our efforts to pass legislation in all 50 states, email info@theahafoundation.org.