“Silence is an accomplice to injustice."

Ayaan Hirsi Ali

“Silence is an accomplice to injustice."

Ayaan Hirsi Ali
AHA1
Ayaan Hirsi Ali,
Founder of AHA Foundation

OUR ADVOCACY CAMPAIGNS

LEND YOUR VOICE
TO PROTECT WOMEN AND GIRLS

AHA Foundation works to protect women and girls in the U.S. from female genital mutilation (FGM), child and forced marriage, and honor violence by advocating to expand and strengthen federal and state laws.

Download our Ban FGM Legislative Toolkit which has all the essential information and resources to help ban FGM in every state in the U.S.

FEDERAL LEGISLATION


URGE YOUR SENATORS TO INCLUDE FGM IN THE REAUTHORIZATION OF THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT

Bill That Can Tackle the Issue

H.R.1585, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019, is a VAWA reauthorization bill introduced by the House of Representatives that includes provisions addressing FGM.

Take Action

Please urge your Senators to support the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act.

Letter sample Find Your Senator

STATE LEGISLATION

STATE LEGISLATION AGAINST FGM

Find our anti-FGM model legislation here

WHY WE NEED
STATE LEGISLATION AGAINST FGM

Strong legislation against FGM:


  • Sends a STRONG MESSAGE THAT FGM WILL NOT BE TOLERATED in the state
  • GIVES PROSECUTORS THE TOOLS and access to resources to bring perpetrators to justice
  • Signals to state prosecutors that FGM IS A CRIME that must be prosecuted
  • Fills gaps in federal legislation such as EDUCATION AND OUTREACH TARGETED TO AT RISK COMMUNITIES and the professionals likely to encounter girls at risk of FGM
  • PREVENTS GIRLS BEING TRAFFICKED ACROSS STATE BORDERS to perform FGM

CHECK THE STATUS AND STRENGTH OF ANTI-FGM LEGISLATION IN YOUR STATE

STATE LEGISLATION AGAINST CHILD MARRIAGE

MASSACHUSETTS RESIDENTS:
URGE YOUR LEGISLATOR TO BAN CHILD MARRIAGE IN YOUR STATE

How to tackle the Issue

S.2294 would ban all child marriage in the commonwealth. It has already passed in the Senate and awaits a hearing in the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Take Action

Massachusetts residents, please reach out to your state senator to urge the passage of this legislation without delay.

LETTER SAMPLE FIND OUR STATE SENATOR

MICHIGAN RESIDENTS:
URGE CHAIRMAN FILLER TO SCHEDULE A HEARING FOR BILLS THAT WILL END ALL CHILD MARRIAGE IN THE STATE

How to tackle the Issue:

HB4003, HB4004 and HB4005 would together end all child marriage in Michigan, without exception. It awaits a hearing in the Judiciary Committee.

Take action:

Michigan residents, please urge Chairman Graham Filler to schedule a hearing for this legislation without delay.

Letter sample CONTACT CHAIRMAN FILLER

NEW YORK RESIDENTS:
URGE GOVERNOR CUOMO TO SIGN A BILL THAT WILL END ALL CHILD MARRIAGE IN THE STATE

How to tackle the Issue:

S3086/A3891 would end all child marriage in New York, without exception.

Take action:

New York residents, please urge Governor Cuomo to sign this legislation immediately.

Letter sample CONTACT YOUR ASSEMBLY MEMBER CONTACT YOUR SENATOR

advocacy
Amanda Parker, AHA Foundation’s Senior Director, protests child and forced marriage at New Jersey’s Penn Station in July 2016

Laws and policies against FGM, forced and child marriage, and honor violence, play a critical role in protecting women and girls against these abuses in the U.S.



YOUR VOICE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

“Tolerance of intolerance is cowardice”


Ayaan Hirsi Ali

Alabama

Grade: F

Number of Women and Girls At Risk: 1,480

Status: No anti-FGM legislation

Improve by adding: Prosecuting practitioner, prosecuting parents/guardian, prosecuting facilitating FGM, culture is not a defense provision, “vacation cutting” provision, education and outreach provision

Alaska

Grade: F

Number of Women and Girls At Risk: 20

Status: No anti-FGM legislation

Improve by adding: Prosecuting practitioner, prosecuting parents/guardian, prosecuting facilitating FGM, culture is not a defense provision, “vacation cutting” provision, education and outreach provision

Arizona

Grade: B

Number of Women and Girls At Risk: 7,459

Status: Adequate existing legislation

Current legislation includes: Felony charges, prosecutes practitioner, prosecutes parents/guardians, no facilitating FGM, “vacation cutting” provision, victims can pursue a civil cause for action

Improve by adding: Culture is not a defense provision, education and outreach provision

Arkansas

Grade: A

Number of Women and Girls At Risk: 551

Status: Strong Existing Legislation

Current legislation includes: Felony charges, prosecutes practitioner, prosecutes facilitating FGM, prosecutes parents/guardian, culture is not a defense provision, “vacation cutting” provision, mandatory reporting, victims can sue for damages, education and outreach provision, requires annual FGM report

Improve by adding: Mandated medical license revocation

California

Grade: C

Number of Women and Girls At Risk: 56,872

Status: Existing legislation needs strengthening

Current legislation includes: Felony charges, prosecutes practitioner, prosecutes parents, prosecutes facilitating FGM, education and outreach provision

Improve by adding: Culture is not a defense provision, “vacation cutting” provision

Colorado

Grade: B

Number of Women and Girls At Risk: 8,705

Status: Adequate existing legislation

Current legislation includes: Felony charges, prosecutes practitioner, prosecutes parents, culture is not a defense provision

Improve by adding: “Vacation cutting” provision, education and outreach provision, prosecuting facilitating FGM

Connecticut

Grade: F

Number of Women and Girls At Risk: 2,658

Status: No anti-FGM legislation

Improve by adding: Prosecuting practitioner, prosecuting parents/guardian, prosecuting facilitating FGM, culture is not a defense provision, “vacation cutting” provision, education and outreach provision

DC

Grade: F

Number of Women and Girls At Risk: 51,411*

*Estimate is for the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metropolitan statistical area. Arlington and Alexandria located in the bordering state of Virginia.

Status: No anti-FGM legislation

Improve by adding: Prosecuting practitioner, prosecuting parents/guardian, prosecuting facilitating FGM, culture is not a defense provision, “vacation cutting” provision, education and outreach provision

Delaware

Grade: B

Number of Women and Girls At Risk: 2,238

Status: Adequate existing legislation

Current legislation includes: Felony charges, prosecutes practitioner, prosecutes parents, culture is not a defense provision, includes vulnerable adults in protections

Improve by adding: “Vacation cutting” provision, education and outreach provision, prosecuting facilitating FGM

Arizona

Grade: B

Number of Women and Girls At Risk: 11,180

Status: Adequate existing legislation

Current legislation includes: Felony charges, prosecutes practitioner, prosecutes parents, prosecutes facilitating FGM, “vacation cutting” provision

Improve by adding: Culture is not a defense provision, education and outreach provision

Georgia

Grade: B

Number of Women and Girls At Risk: 20,476

Status: Adequate existing legislation

Current legislation includes: Felony charges, prosecutes practitioner, prosecutes parents, “vacation cutting” provision, culture is not a defense provision

Improve by adding: Prosecuting facilitating FGM, education and outreach provision

Hawaii

Grade: F

Number of Women and Girls At Risk: -

Status: No anti-FGM legislation

Improve by adding: Prosecuting practitioner, prosecuting parents/guardian, prosecuting facilitating FGM, culture is not a defense provision, “vacation cutting” provision, education and outreach provision

Idaho

Grade: B

Number of Women and Girls At Risk: 566

Status: Adequate existing legislation

Current legislation includes: Felony charges, prosecutes practitioner, culture is not a defense provision, tolls statute of limitations for victims, prosecuting parents, “vacation cutting” provision

Improve by adding: Prosecute facilitating FGM, and education and outreach provision

Illinois

Grade: C

Number of Women and Girls At Risk: 12,039

Status: Existing legislation needs strengthening

Current legislation includes: Felony charges, prosecutes practitioner, prosecutes parents

Improve by adding: “Vacation cutting” provision, culture is not a defense provision, education and outreach provision

Indiana

Grade: A

Number of Women and Girls At Risk: 5,251

Status: Strong existing legislation

Current legislation includes: Prosecute practitioner, prosecute parents/guardian, prosecute facilitating FGM, culture is not a defense provision, “vacation cutting” provision, education and outreach provision, revokes license of medical practitioner

Improve by adding: Mandatory law enforcement training

Iowa

Grade: B

Number of Women and Girls At Risk: 5,142

Status: Adequate existing legislation

Current legislation includes: Felony charges, prosecutes practitioner, culture is not a defense provision, “vacation cutting” provision, education and outreach provision

Improve by adding: Prosecuting facilitating FGM, prosecuting parents/guardian

Kansas

Grade: B

Number of Women and Girls At Risk: 3,171

Status: Adequate existing legislation

Current legislation includes: Felony charges, prosecutes practitioner, prosecutes parents, “vacation cutting” provision, culture is not a defense provision

Improve by adding: Prosecuting facilitating FGM, education and outreach provision

Kentucky

Grade: A

Number of Women and Girls At Risk: 1,845

Status: Strong existing legislation

Current legislation includes: Prosecute practitioner, prosecute parents/guardian, prosecute facilitating FGM, culture is not a defense provision, “vacation cutting” provision, education and outreach provision, revokes license of medical practitioner, mandtory reporting, mandatory law enforcement training, requires annual statistical reporting on FGM

Improve by adding: N/A

Louisiana

Grade: B

Number of Women and Girls At Risk: 1,524

Status: Adequate existing legislation

Current legislation includes: Felony charges, prosecutes practitioner, prosecutes parents, “vacation cutting” provision, culture is not a defense provision

Improve by adding: Prosecuting facilitating FGM, education and outreach provision

Maine

Grade: F

Number of Women and Girls At Risk: 1,603

Status: No anti-FGM legislation

Improve by adding: Prosecuting practitioner, prosecuting parents/guardian, prosecuting facilitating FGM, culture is not a defense provision, “vacation cutting” provision, education and outreach provision

Maryland

Grade: B

Number of Women and Girls At Risk: 31,820

Status: Adequate existing legislation

Current legislation includes: Felony charges, prosecutes practitioner, prosecutes parents, culture is not a defense provision

Improve by adding: “Vacation cutting” provision, prosecuting facilitating FGM, education and outreach provision

Massachusetts

Grade: A

Number of Women and Girls At Risk: 14,211

Status: Strong Existing Legislation

Current legislation includes: Prosecute practitioner, prosecute parents/guardian (existing MA aiding and abetting law covers parents/guardians), prosecute facilitating FGM, culture is not a defense provision, “vacation cutting” provision, education and outreach provision, mandatory reporting (MA Dept. of Children and Families indicates they view FGM as child abuse, making it a mandatory reporting issue)

Improve by adding: Revokes license of medical practitioner, mandatory law enforcement training, requires annual statistical reporting on FGM

Michigan

Grade: A

Number of Women and Girls At Risk: 10,493

Status: Strong existing legislation

Current legislation includes: Prosecute practitioner, prosecute parents/guardian, prosecute facilitating FGM, culture is not a defense provision, “vacation cutting” provision, education and outreach provision, revokes license of medical practitioner

Improve by adding: Continue strengthening legislation through other provisions such as including mandatory reporting, mandatory law enforcement training, etc.

Minnesota

Grade: D

Number of Women and Girls At Risk: 44,293

Status: Inadequate existing legislation needs strengthening

Current legislation includes: Felony charges, prosecutes practitioner, education and outreach

Improve by adding: Prosecuting parents, prosecuting facilitating FGM, “vacation cutting” provision, culture is not a defense provision

Mississippi

Grade: F

Number of Women and Girls At Risk: 442

Status: No anti-FGM legislation

Improve by adding: Prosecuting practitioner, prosecuting parents/guardian, prosecuting facilitating FGM, culture is not a defense provision, “vacation cutting” provision, education and outreach provision

Missouri

Grade: B

Number of Women and Girls At Risk: 4,043

Status: Adequate existing legislation

Current legislation includes: Felony charges, prosecutes practitioner, prosecutes parents, culture is not a defense provision

Improve by adding: “Vacation cutting” provision, education and outreach, increase age to 18 (currently at 17)

Montana

Grade: F

Number of Women and Girls At Risk: 302

Status: No anti-FGM legislation

Improve by adding: Prosecuting practitioner, prosecuting parents/guardian, prosecuting facilitating FGM, culture is not a defense provision, “vacation cutting” provision, education and outreach provision

Nebraska

Grade: F

Number of Women and Girls At Risk: 1,549

Status: No anti-FGM legislation

Improve by adding: Prosecuting practitioner, prosecuting parents/guardian, prosecuting facilitating FGM, culture is not a defense provision, “vacation cutting” provision, education and outreach provision

Nevada

Grade: B

Number of Women and Girls At Risk: 7,457

Status: Adequate existing legislation

Current legislation includes: Felony charges, prosecuting practitioner, prosecuting parents, prosecuting “encouraging” FGM, “vacation cutting” provision, culture is not a defense provision

Improve by adding: Education and outreach provision

New Hampshire

Grade: B

Number of Women and Girls At Risk: 403

Status: Adequate Existing Legislation

Improve by adding: Prosecute facilitating FGM, education and outreach provision

New Jersey

Grade: B

Number of Women and Girls At Risk: 31,023

Status: Adequate existing legislation

Current legislation includes: Felony charges, prosecutes practitioner, prosecutes parents, “vacation cutting” provision, culture is not a defense provision

Improve by adding: Prosecuting facilitating FGM, education and outreach provision

New Mexico

Grade: F

Number of Women and Girls At Risk: 317

Status: No anti-FGM legislation

Improve by adding: Prosecuting practitioner, prosecuting parents/guardian, prosecuting facilitating FGM, culture is not a defense provision, “vacation cutting” provision, education and outreach provision

New York

Grade: B

Number of Women and Girls At Risk: 48,418

Status: Adequate existing legislation

Current legislation includes: Felony charges, prosecutes facilitating FGM, prosecutes practitioner, prosecutes parents, culture is not a defense provision, education and outreach provision

Improve by adding: “Vacation cutting” provision

North Carolina

Grade: B

Number of Women and Girls At Risk: 9,399

Status: Adequate existing legislation

Current legislation includes: Felony charges, prosecutes practitioner, prosecutes parents/guardians, culture is not a defense provision, “vacation cutting” provision

Improve by adding: Prosecuting facilitating FGM, education and outreach provision

 

North Dakota

Grade: B

Number of Women and Girls At Risk: 531

Status: Adequate existing legislation

Current legislation includes: Felony charges, prosecutes practitioner,  prosecutes parents/guardian, culture is not a defense provision, tolls statute of limitations for victims

Improve by adding: Prosecuting facilitating FGM, “vacation cutting” provision, education and outreach provision

Ohio

Grade: B

Number of Women and Girls At Risk: 24,320

Status: Adequate existing legislation

Current legislation includes: Felony charges, prosecutes practitioner,  “vacation cutting” provision, culture is not a defense provision

Improve by adding: Prosecuting parents/guardian, prosecutes facilitating FGM, education and outreach provision

Oklahoma

Grade: D

Number of Women and Girls At Risk: 1,788

Status: Inadequate existing legislation needs strengthening

Current legislation includes: Felony charges, prosecutes practitioner

Improve by adding: Prosecuting parents, prosecuting facilitating FGM, “vacation cutting” provision, culture is not a defense provision, education and outreach provision

Oregon

Grade: B

Number of Women and Girls At Risk: 2,647

Status: Adequate existing legislation

Current legislation includes: Felony charges, prosecutes practitioner, prosecutes parents, culture is not a defense provision, education and outreach provision

Improve by adding: “Vacation cutting” provision, prosecuting facilitating FGM

Pennsylvania

Grade: B

Number of Women and Girls At Risk: 19,480

Status: Adequate existing legislation

Current legislation includes: Felony charges, prosecutes practitioner, prosecutes parents/guardian, culture is not a defense provision, “vacation cutting” provision

Improve by adding: Prosecuting facilitating FGM, education and outreach provision

Rhode Island

Grade: D

Number of Women and Girls At Risk: 2,754

Status: Inadequate existing legislation needs strengthening

Current legislation includes: Felony charges, prosecutes practitioner

Improve by adding: Prosecuting parents, prosecuting facilitating FGM, “vacation cutting” provision, culture is not a defense provision, education and outreach provision

South Carolina

Grade: B

Number of Women and Girls At Risk: 1,395

Status: Adequate existing legislation

Current legislation includes: Felony charges, prosecutes practitioner, prosecutes facilitating FGM, “vacation cutting” provision, culture is not a defense provision

Improve by adding: Education and outreach provision

South Dakota

Grade: B

Number of Women and Girls At Risk: 1,019

Status: Adequate existing legislation

Current legislation includes: Felony charges, prosecutes practitioner, prosecutes parents, prosecutes “encouraging” FGM, “vacation cutting” provision, culture is not a defense provision

Improve by adding: Education and outreach provision

Tennessee

Grade: B

Number of Women and Girls At Risk: 8,062

Status: Adequate existing legislation

Current legislation includes: Felony charges, prosecutes practitioner, prosecutes facilitating FGM, prosecutes parents/guardian, culture is not a defense provision, “vacation cutting” provision, mandatory reporting, requires annual FGM report

Improve by adding: Education and outreach provision

Texas

Grade: B

Number of Women and Girls At Risk: 33,087

Status: Adequate existing legislation

Current legislation includes: Felony charges, prosecutes practitioner, prosecutes parents, “vacation cutting” provision, culture is not a defense provision

Improve by adding: Prosecuting facilitating FGM, education and outreach provision

Utah

Grade: A

Number of Women and Girls At Risk: 1,769

Status: Strong existing legislation

Current legislation includes: Felony charges, prosecutes practitioner, prosecutes facilitating FGM, prosecutes parents/guardian, culture is not a defense provision, “vacation cutting” provision, mandatory reporting, victims can sue for damages, education and outreach provision, medical professional disciplinary action including possible license revocation

Improve by adding: Annual statistical reporting

Vermont

Grade: B

Number of Women and Girls At Risk: 650

Status: Adequate existing legislation

Current legislation includes: Prosecutes practitioner, “vacation cutting” provision, culture is not a defense provision

Improve by adding: Prosecuting parents/guardian, prosecute facilitating FGM, and education and outreach provision

Virginia

Grade: B

Number of Women and Girls At Risk: 30,830

Status: Adequate existing legislation

Current legislation includes: Felony charges, prosecutes practitioner, prosecutes parents, “vacation cutting” provision, victims can sue for damages, family life education limited to school age children

Improve by adding: Prosecuting facilitating FGM, culture is not a defense provision, education and outreach provision

Washington

Grade: F

Number of Women and Girls At Risk: 25,000

Status: No anti-FGM legislation

Improve by adding: Prosecuting practitioner, prosecuting parents/guardian, prosecuting facilitating FGM, culture is not a defense provision, “vacation cutting” provision, education and outreach provision

West Virginia

Grade: B

Number of Women and Girls At Risk: 124

Status: Adequate existing legislation

Current legislation includes: Felony charges, prosecutes practitioner, prosecutes parents, culture is not a defense provision

Improve by adding: Prosecuting facilitating FGM, “vacation cutting” provision, education and outreach provision

Wisconsin

Grade: D

Number of Women and Girls At Risk: 2,144

Status: Inadequate existing legislation needs strengthening

Current legislation includes: Felony charges, prosecutes practitioner, culture is not a defense provision

Improve by adding: Prosecuting parents, prosecuting facilitating FGM, “vacation cutting” provision, education and outreach provision

Wyoming

Grade: A

Number of Women and Girls At Risk: 438

Status: Strong existing legislation

Current legislation includes: Prosecute practitioner, prosecute parents/guardian, prosecute facilitating FGM, culture is not a defense provision, “vacation cutting” provision, education and outreach provision, revokes license of medical practitioner

Improve by adding: Continue strengthening legislation through other provisions such as including mandatory reporting, mandatory law enforcement training, etc.