The Massachusetts Legislature is slated to pass a crucial bill (H. 4606) that will outlaw female genital mutilation and allow survivors to bring civil action against perpetrators. Crucially, the bill specifically states that performing this procedure as part of a custom or ritual provides no legal defense.
In addition to the traumatic and often lifelong physical and emotional pain this procedure inflicts on women, girls and women who have it are at risk for dangerous infections and cysts. Infants born to women who have had it have a higher risk of dying. The practice has no medical benefit and is based solely on barbaric religious traditions that have no place in modern American society. Regardless of religion or tradition, this practice is a violent and horrific human rights violation, and Massachusetts must not be complacent in allowing it to occur.
After a federal ban on female genital mutilation was recently declared unconstitutional, many states are banning the practice, and you can take action today to make sure Massachusetts is next on the list. Please contact your state senator and urge them to vote yes on H. 4606.
