In a historic move, Colombia vows to ban female genital mutilation
SOCIAL – WOMEN
12 JUNE 2026
- Colombia’s Senate approved a law to ban female genital mutilation (FGM), a practice that persists in some of the country’s Indigenous communities, after two years of debate.
- If approved by leftist President Gustavo Petro, Colombia will become the first country in Latin America to pass such legislation.
- Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) refers to the partial or total removal of external female genitalia or other injury to female genital organs for non-medical reasons.
- The practice is internationally recognized as a violation of the human rights of girls and women.
- Female Genital Mutilation is usually carried out during childhood or adolescence, often before the age of 15.
- The practice is performed in parts of Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, as well as among some migrant communities worldwide.
- Female Genital Mutilation has no health benefits and can cause severe physical and psychological harm.
- The United Nations declared 6th February as the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation in 2012.
