AHA Secures Landmark Victory Against FGM in Washington, D.C.

By: Michele Hanash, Director of Policy and Women’s Programs at AHA Foundation

April 28, 2025

We are thrilled to share the incredible news: Washington, D.C., has passed a bill against female genital mutilation (FGM), and as of April 18, it is officially in effect! This marks a monumental victory for our long-standing efforts and advocacy, ensuring stronger protections for girls and women in the nation’s capital.

This achievement reflects the dedication of AHA Foundation and its supporters over the past six years, as we worked tirelessly with Councilmembers Cheh and Allen and, more recently, Councilmember Pinto and their teams to protect more than 3,000 women and girls impacted by FGM in D.C.

We launched our advocacy in D.C. in 2019 when Councilmember Cheh introduced B23-0339, a strong anti-FGM bill. Over the years, we’ve drafted bill language, testified, advocated, coordinated witnesses, and emphasized the importance of this legislation, particularly given D.C.’s vulnerability as a potential destination for FGM, surrounded by states with FGM-specific bans already in place, and its importance as our nation’s capital. It was Councilmember Pinto’s bill, B25-247, which made it across the finish line.

We are especially grateful to our ally, FGM survivor and advocate Ngoltoingar Bayor, who provided powerful oral testimony, as well as Senator Michael Brown, in addition to all those who submitted written testimony in support of the legislation.

Thanks to these efforts, D.C. now boasts one of the strongest anti-FGM laws in the nation. This landmark legislation:

• Makes FGM a felony crime,
• Empowers survivors with the ability to pursue civil action,
• Specifies the ability to prosecute parents or guardians who facilitate FGM and the transporting of girls for FGM, and
• Mandates education and outreach for the public and mandated reporters.

Through our work, we’ve witnessed how laws like this can serve as powerful tools for prevention. Families facing cultural or community pressure point to existing legislation as a reason to protect their daughters from being cut. Now, families in D.C. have this vital protection as well.

While we celebrate this significant progress, the fight is not over. Nine states still lack specific anti-FGM laws. Together, we must continue advocating until every girl, everywhere, is safe from this harmful practice.

Thank you for your unwavering support and for standing with us in the fight for freedom and dignity.