WE’RE FOLLOWING THE LEAD OF SURVIVORS TO BAN FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION IN WASHINGTON

Throughout Children’s Alliance’s 40 years, we have worked with partners, community members, and elected officials to help Washington state be a leader in our nation for kids’ health. Washington has made significant progress in improving child health over the years, but we are falling short on protecting some of our state’s most vulnerable kids from a devastating practice known as female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C).The federal government recognizes FGM/C as a form of child abuse, and international officials describe it as a human rights violation, constituting torture and an extreme form of gender-based discrimination. And it has enduring consequences for reproductive health, birth outcomes and other forms of well-being . 

Washington state is one of 10 U.S. states without any legislation that addresses FGM/C, which has left our state’s women and children at severe risk of the harmful practice. In fact, an estimated 25,000 individuals in Washington are living with or at risk of undergoing FGM/C. The Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue metro area is the fifth highest metro area in the U.S. in terms of the size of the FGM/C-affected community. Kids of color and with low incomes are disproportionately at risk of experiencing this life-threatening practice. FGM/C can lead to immediate and long-term health problems that can cause obstetric, gynecological, sexual, and psychological problems, and sometimes even death. 

In 2022, Dr. Stephan Blanford was approached by Absa Samba, a survivor of FGM/C and graduate student at the University of Washington, about her mission to bring an end to the practice of FGM/C here in Washington. From that point on, Children’s Alliance proudly joined the newly formed Washington Coalition to End FGM/C, a survivor-led group of advocates, activists, and experts on the issue that together have brought forward community-informed legislation to address FGM/C in Washington this legislative session. In February, Children’s Alliance participated in a webinar with other coalition members to shed light on this issue here in Washington state and why we urgently need legislation to end FGM/C. 

Now, Washington is making strong headway to enact comprehensive FGM/C legislation that is long overdue. Senate Bill 5453, championed by state Senator Karen Keiser (D - Des Moines), would criminalize FGM/C on minors in Washington, provide for community education on the subject, punish health care practitioners who perform FGM/C, and allow survivors of FGM/C to seek a civil remedy.  

Senate Bill 5453 passed the Washington state Senate unanimously and is making its way through the House of Representatives. On Monday April 3, the bill passed out of the House Appropriations Committee and was referred to the House Rules Committee.  

FGM can be prevented, and it can be stopped, so that thousands of kids and adults in Washington can enjoy a life to their fullest potential. Senate Bill 5453 is a fundamental step in protecting the health and safety of all of Washington’s children. 

To help Washington state pass Senate Bill 5453, take action now by emailing your Washington state House members.