SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — Girls as young as two years old are being forced into genital mutilation in Utah, according to advocacy group Aha Foundation, which tracks and works with victims.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates more than 500,000 young girls are at risk of this happening in the U.S. alone. In Utah, there are 1,769 cases of young girls either at risk, or who were already forced into a painful procedure some call barbaric.

A woman who goes by the name Gladis had the procedure done to her.

It wasn’t a pleasant experience, but I just have to do it because traditions calls for it,” Gladis said.

Genital mutilation is accepted in some religions, and it’s forced only on young girls by their parents as a way to preserve their virginity.

Utah lawmaker files bill to stop genital mutilation on girls as young as 2 years old – KUTV