KY takes step to ban female genital mutilation – Kentucky General Assembly Legislative News Releases

Frankfort – The state Senate unanimously approved legislation today that would ban female genital mutilation. “This is a very difficult subject to discuss,” said Senate Majority Caucus Chair Julie Raque Adams of Louisville, who sponsored the measure, known as Senate Bill 72, along with Sen. Whitney Westerfield, R-Crofton. “Female genital mutilation is one of the most egregious forms of child abuse. It is internationally recognized as a violation of human rights and a form of discrimination against women.” The World Health Organization states that female genital mutilation, often referred to as FGM, includes procedures that intentionally alter or cause injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. It is mostly carried out on young girls. Adams said Kentucky is among 15 states where it is still legal. A federal ban that had been in place for more than two decades was found unconstitutional in 2018.