Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a practice that is widely condemned across the globe as a violation of human rights and a form of gender-based violence. Despite this, FGM remains legal in some states in the United States. This issue demands urgent attention, as the practice can have serious, lifelong consequences for the physical and mental health of the women and girls subjected to it. Here are the states in the US where FGM is still legal.
Alabama
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Despite being banned at the federal level in the United States in 1996, Alabama is one of the few states that has not enacted a state law banning the practice of FGM. This means that FGM remains legal in Alabama, leaving women and girls at risk of undergoing the procedure.
Alaska
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While FGM is illegal at the federal level in the United States, it is not explicitly banned in Alaska. This loophole means that the practice remains legal in the state, posing a risk to the health and well-being of women and girls.
Connecticut
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Although FGM is a federal crime in the United States, Connecticut is one of the few states that does not have its own state law banning the practice. This means that FGM remains legal in Connecticut, leaving women and girls at risk of harm.
Hawaii
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Despite the fact that FGM is illegal under federal law in the United States, Hawaii has not enacted a state law banning the practice. This means that FGM remains legal in Hawaii, leaving women and girls vulnerable to the practice.
Indiana
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Although FGM is illegal under federal law in the United States, Indiana is one of the few states that has not enacted a state law banning the practice. This means that FGM remains legal in Indiana, leaving women and girls at risk of harm.
Kentucky
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While FGM is illegal at the federal level in the United States, it is not explicitly banned in Kentucky. This means that the practice remains legal in the state, posing a risk to the health and well-being of women and girls.
Massachusetts
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Although FGM is a federal crime in the United States, Massachusetts is one of the few states that does not have its own state law banning the practice. This means that FGM remains legal in Massachusetts, leaving women and girls at risk of harm.
Montana
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Despite the fact that FGM is illegal under federal law in the United States, Montana has not enacted a state law banning the practice. This means that FGM remains legal in Montana, leaving women and girls vulnerable to the practice.
North Carolina
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Although FGM is illegal under federal law in the United States, North Carolina is one of the few states that has not enacted a state law banning the practice. This means that FGM remains legal in North Carolina, leaving women and girls at risk of harm.
West Virginia
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While FGM is illegal at the federal level in the United States, it is not explicitly banned in West Virginia. This means that the practice remains legal in the state, posing a risk to the health and wellbeing of women and girls.
South Dakota
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South Dakota is one of the 19 states where FGM is legal. The state’s FGM law allows medical procedures that have a “bona fide medical purpose,” which has been criticized for being too vague.
Texas
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Despite the federal ban on FGM, Texas has its own laws that allow for the procedure to be performed for cultural or religious reasons. In 2019, a federal judge in Texas ruled the federal FGM ban unconstitutional, arguing that states should have the power to regulate it.
Utah
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While Utah’s FGM law does allow for medical procedures necessary for a person’s health, it also permits the practice for religious or customary reasons as long as they’re carried out by a licensed physician.
Virginia
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Virginia is one of the states where FGM is legal. The state’s FGM law allows for medical procedures that are “necessary to preserve the health of the female,” but it also allows for procedures performed for “cultural or customary purposes.”
Wyoming
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Wyoming is another state where FGM is legal. The state’s law allows for medical procedures that are necessary for a female’s health, but it also permits the practice for cultural or customary reasons. Source: theahafoundation
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