Survivors frustrated CT still hasn’t banned female genital mutilation – CT Mirror

Report on Legislative Efforts to Ban Female Genital Mutilation in Connecticut

Introduction and Legislative Background

For the third consecutive year, Simenesh Comollo, a survivor of female genital mutilation (FGM), has testified before Connecticut lawmakers advocating for a bill to ban the practice within the state. Comollo’s testimony highlights the ongoing absence of clear legal protection against FGM in Connecticut, despite the state being home to many affected individuals.

The proposed legislation has garnered bipartisan support but has yet to pass both legislative chambers. Initial attempts to address FGM in Connecticut date back to 2018, with multiple bills introduced in subsequent years. However, these efforts have faced challenges including committee rejections and lack of prioritization.

Legislative History and Challenges

1. 2018: First bill introduced to prohibit FGM, but it did not advance out of committee.
2. 2019: A bill mandating a study on FGM by the Department of Public Health and the University of Connecticut was rejected by the Senate.
3. 2020-2021: Additional bills related to FGM were raised but failed to progress beyond committee stages.
4. 2025: A bill criminalizing FGM passed the Senate but was not brought to a vote in the House.

Survivors like Comollo report emotional distress from repeatedly revisiting traumatic experiences during testimonies, underscoring the human impact behind the legislative process.

Legislative Perspectives and Bill Provisions

Senator Gary Winfield, co-chair of the Judiciary Committee, noted an evolution in legislative attitudes toward FGM, influenced by testimonies from individuals with lived experience. Despite growing support, the bill has not been prioritized due to competing legislative challenges.

The bill proposes the following key provisions:

• Classifying FGM of girls under 18 as a class D felony.
• Allowing children under 12 to testify outside the courtroom with a trusted adult present.
• Permitting children to file lawsuits against parents if subjected to FGM.
• Enabling survivors to file lawsuits within 30 years after reaching adulthood.

Senator John Kissel expressed concern that Connecticut remains one of only nine states without criminal legislation against FGM, emphasizing the need for protective laws.

Lived Experience and Advocacy

Zehra Patwa, FGM survivor and founder of WeSpeakOut, advocates for ending the practice and supports survivor testimonies despite the personal challenges involved. Patwa’s experience within the Bohra community reveals the prevalence of FGM and the importance of survivor-led advocacy.

Comollo, originally from Ethiopia, highlights the role of advocacy in healing and protecting future generations. Both survivors emphasize that FGM is a critical issue of bodily autonomy, safety, and dignity.

Health Implications and Community Impact

According to Katherine McKenzie, director of the Yale Center for Asylum Medicine, FGM survivors often face severe health consequences including:

• High-risk pregnancies
• Infertility
• Reduced sexual pleasure
• Mental health disorders such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety

These health challenges underscore the urgent need for protective legislation and support services.

Importance of State Legislation and Education

Mariya Taher, co-founder of Sahiyo, stresses that state laws are vital in combating cultural beliefs that perpetuate FGM. Legislation serves as a prevention tool and supports parents resisting community pressure to subject their daughters to FGM.

Both Taher and Patwa note that misconceptions and conflation with unrelated issues, such as gender-affirming care debates, have hindered legislative progress in Connecticut. However, Senator Winfield disagrees that these debates are a significant barrier.

Taher advocates for incorporating education into legislation to raise awareness and break the silence surrounding FGM, which often persists due to misconceptions that it only occurs outside Western countries.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The efforts to ban FGM in Connecticut align with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including:

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – By addressing the health risks associated with FGM and promoting physical and mental health for women and girls.
• SDG 5: Gender Equality – By protecting girls’ rights to bodily autonomy and eliminating harmful practices that discriminate against women and girls.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions – Through the establishment of legal frameworks that uphold justice and protect vulnerable populations.
• SDG 4: Quality Education – By promoting education and awareness to prevent FGM and empower communities.

Legislative action against FGM contributes to the global agenda of ending violence against women and girls and promoting inclusive, safe, and equitable societies.

Conclusion

The ongoing legislative efforts in Connecticut to ban female genital mutilation reflect a critical intersection of human rights, health, and gender equality. Survivor testimonies and advocacy underscore the urgency of enacting protective laws that align with the Sustainable Development Goals. While progress has been slow, continued commitment from lawmakers, survivors, and community organizations is essential to eradicate FGM and uphold the dignity and safety of all girls and women in Connecticut.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed in the Article

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The article discusses the health consequences of female genital mutilation (FGM), including physical and mental health issues such as high-risk pregnancies, infertility, PTSD, depression, and anxiety.
2. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • The article focuses on ending female genital mutilation, a harmful practice that violates the rights and bodily autonomy of girls and women, highlighting the need for gender equality and empowerment of all women and girls.
3. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • The article emphasizes the importance of legislation and legal frameworks to criminalize FGM, protect survivors, and uphold justice.

2. Specific Targets Under the Identified SDGs

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.7: Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programs.
   • Target 3.4: Reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
2. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • Target 5.3: Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation.
   • Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.
3. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
   • Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Prevalence of Female Genital Mutilation
   • The article references estimates of the number of girls in Connecticut who have undergone or are at risk of FGM, implying the use of prevalence rates as an indicator.
2. Legislation and Legal Enforcement
   • The progress of bills criminalizing FGM in Connecticut and other states serves as an indicator of legal frameworks and institutional response.
   • The classification of FGM as a felony and provisions for testimony and lawsuits indicate measurable legal protections.
3. Health Outcomes Related to FGM
   • Indicators related to health consequences such as rates of high-risk pregnancies, infertility, PTSD, depression, and anxiety among survivors could be used to measure impact.
4. Access to Support Services and Education
   • The article mentions the need for education and support for affected communities, implying indicators related to availability and access to such services.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: ctmirror.org