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State Representative Nicole Klarides-Ditria (R-105) applauded survivors, legislative colleagues, Lieutenant Governor Bysiewicz, and national advocates from US Network, Sahiyo, and Equality Now who gathered for a Capitol press conference to call for an end to Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/c) and to introduce legislation to ban the practice in Connecticut.

Female genital mutilation is usually carried out on prepubescent girls and involves the cutting and sometimes partial removal of a girl’s genitals, including excising of the clitoris. The immediate complications can include bleeding, infection and even death. Potential long-term complications include complications in childbirth, UTIs, scarring, hepatitis, HIV, and depression. If the clitoris is excised, a woman’s ability to experience sexual pleasure can also be permanently diminished.

“This abhorrent practice does incredible harm to women, but also to their communities, our communities,” Rep. Klarides-Ditria, Ranking Member of the Public Health Committee said. “That damage does not dissipate, and it does not disappear. The victims of this inhumane practice are or will be forced to carry physical and mental scars for the rest of their lives unless this legislature finds the courage to stand up and say enough is enough.”

The world health organization says FGM/c is recognized internationally as a violation of human rights and reflects deep rooted inequality between the sexes and constitutes an extreme form of discrimination against girls and women. While FGM is traditional in some cultures there are no medical benefits to this procedure.

Female Genital Mutilation/cutting has been made illegal in more than 40 states.

“The legislation being proposed this session will absolutely protect girls and women in our state, and passing this measure will align CT with more than 40 other states that have already outlawed this barbaric practice,” Rep. Klarides-Ditria said. “Together with the medical community, families worldwide need to support the complete elimination of this practice, and keep girls safe, healthy and unharmed.”