Connecticut legislatures have recently introduced House Bill 6596 to protect girls and women from female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). Connecticut is one of only nine states without legislation protecting children from FGM/C. FGM/C is a human rights violation and an extreme form of gender-based violence which causes severe physical and psychological damage.
The introduction of this bill is a result of countless hours of advocacy from survivors and activists alike. The work, however, is not done!
Connecticut has not yet made it clear that FGM/C is an intolerable criminal offense in the state. Right now, in Connecticut alone, at least 2,658 women and girls have been subjected to or are at-risk of undergoing FGM/C. Surrounding states, such as New York and Massachusetts, have already banned FGM/C, potentially making Connecticut a refuge for those seeking to continue the harmful practice. It is up to the residents of Connecticut to demand that their state legislators prioritize the passage of this bill - which also would seek to create community education and outreach programs to address the human rights violations in the broader public.
Want to help us make Connecticut the 42nd state to protect women and girls from FGM/C by encouraging and supporting the passing of this bill? Sign our Call to Action and urge your state representatives to ban FGM/C.
All you need to do is fill out your contact info and then hit send. The rest (what is in brackets) will automatically be filled out for you and sent to your legislator. Thank you for your support!