By Sheena Vasani
Connecticut is one of nine states that have yet to enact a law protecting children from FGM/C, which is why Sahiyo along with other Connecticut Coalition to End FGM/C members recently held the “Preventing FGM/C in Connecticut – Why Comprehensive Laws Matter” event.
On January 25th, panelists educated legislators about the urgent need for FGM/C laws in Connecticut, highlighting their personal and professional experiences connected to FGM/C while sharing resources to learn more and support survivors. Panelists included FGM/C service providers, various women’s rights advocates, FGM/C survivors and advocates and of course, Sahiyo’s very own co-founder and U.S. Executive Director, Mariya Taher.
I had the opportunity to talk to one of these panelists, Zehra Patwa. A resident of Connecticut, Zehra has lived in the state for 28 years. She is also the co-founder of WeSpeakOut, an organization that aims to help empower women and end FGC in the Bohra community. During our conversation, Zehra reflected on the event and why she felt it was a success, while making it clear why all Americans should care about outlawing FGM/C in Connecticut.
Urge the Connecticut State Legislature to outlaw FFM/C by clicking here and signing this petition!
Why did you decide to participate in the event?
When I found out that I had been cut – and that my community was one that cuts girls – I was 42 years old. To this day, I have no recollection of my cutting, but it felt like such a violation so I started [speaking out]. It just felt like the right thing to do – how could it not? I've been lucky to have this great life, and, yet, there are women who, to this day as adults, suffer psychological and sexual impact because this happened to them.
Could you tell me about your experiences at the event? What stood out for you?
All the panelists were so well prepared that we came across as very organized, and professional. And I think that's what the legislators needed to hear. I imagine it might have been different if we had started wailing and crying, but [we showed] that we really understood all of the aspects of this issue, and its sensitive nature.We were all able to give a different perspective on the issue and amplify why we needed a law in Connecticut.
What kind of insights, if any, did you gain?
I was really heartened by the fact that there was so much support and I know the coalition has worked very hard to build that support. Sometimes, it’s like you’re crying out into the void and it feels like nothing is moving forward, but now we've arrived at this point. I realize that all of those small steps that we took – reiterating our experiences over and over again - really helped as it culminated in where we are today. So that was pretty powerful. I felt faith in the process again.
Why do you think Connecticut is one of the nine states that has yet to outlaw FGM/C?
I think the biggest reason is that they didn't want to enact new criminal laws that might impact immigrant communities. People want to be sensitive to black and brown bodies that may have come from communities that cut their daughters. I applaud Connecticut for this sensitivity but in the end, FGC needs to stop and girls need to be protected.
Why do you think those who live in Connecticut – and indeed, Americans generally – should care about outlawing FGM/C?
People don't think that girls in Connecticut are at risk. Yet the fact is, we're one of the only states that does not have an anti FGM/C law so we could easily become, if we’re not already, a destination for cutting. We absolutely do not want to be known for that.
There are [also] communities who cut their daughters who have been in America for generations – they’re not new immigrant communities. So, as Americans, we should be taking care of our communities. I see this FGM/C law as a simple bill to pass. It fits in with other services that are already available and provides specific FGM/C related education and support for prevention and care.
[But] at the heart of this, there is a little girl who is suffering, and is going to potentially suffer all of their life, because they're told they're not good enough and need to be fixed. That’s just not a humane way to view a child.
We give parents a lot of leeway, but parents don’t – or can’t – always make the best decision. I realize that there are parents who feel very pressured to do this by the elders in their family or community. If we have a law that protects girls from FGM/C, it would give parents the strength and backup to say no. They can [tell people in their community] “look, I don't want to be a criminal. If I protect my child, I avoid the risk of prison.”
What can we as activists do to help outlaw FGM/C in Connecticut?
Spread the word that this is happening here and that this is very much a contemporary practice. We don't have numbers [for Connecticut] as this is such an underground practice but as I said on the panel, that number almost doesn't matter. If one girl is cut, that's one too many.
Education is the key. Up until 10 years ago, I didn't even know this was happening in my community. I grew up with very educated, talented women [with] great careers who were impressive mentors and role models, and my community was pretty progressive. But [...] all of those women were cut and many of them also cut their daughters. This was a practice that people just accepted as being a fact of life in the community. But with education and shared stories, that is changing.
You can watch a recording of the “Preventing FGM/C in Connecticut – Why Comprehensive Laws Matter.” event here.
Related:
- Legislative Roundtable held in Connecticut to discuss FGC
- Zahra Patwa: I don't remember my khatna. But it feels like a violation
- Connecticut Governor and Lieutenant Governor officially recognize International Day of Zero Tolerance of FGM/C