Mariya Taher has worked in gender-based violence for nearly 15 years in teaching, research, policy, program development, and direct service. In 2015, she cofounded Sahiyo, a transnational organization with the mission to empower Asian and other communities to end female genital cutting (FGC). In 2023, she was honored with the Women of Worth award by L’Oreal Paris USA as one of the top 10 female nonprofit leaders.
The re-election of Donald Trump is a deeply disturbing blow across the country to women’s rights and reproductive health rights. Yet, even in this chaos, the fight for gender equality and equity must continue. The Equal Rights Amendment was passed in New York, extending protections for vulnerable communities in the region, reminding us that progress is possible locally. With this lesson in mind, I'm calling on Connecticut citizens and their newly elected and re-elected state legislators today to commit to progress during the next legislative session in Hartford. Specifically, I’m calling on state representatives to introduce and pass a bill to ban female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), and for the governor to sign it.
FGM/C involves removing part or all of a child’s healthy female sex organs and surrounding tissue for non-medical reasons and can result in negative health consequences, difficulties during childbirth, lifelong psychological and emotional trauma, and in some cases, even death. It is internationally recognized as a human rights violation and a form of extreme violence against women. More than half a million women and girls in the United States have undergone FGM/C or are at risk of FGM/C. Connecticut ranks 26th in the nation for at-risk populations.
Growing up in a community where FGM/C occurred, I witnessed firsthand the devastating impact it has on women's lives. This experience ignited a passion within me to end this harmful practice, leading me to found Sahiyo, an organization dedicated to empowering communities to abandon FGM/C. For the past four years, we have worked to build the CT Coalition to End FGM/C, a coalition of individuals, survivors, civil society organizations, and state agencies, that have come together to advocate the need for this law. In 2020, a Change.org petition initiated by myself and a friend, Zehra Patwa, a Connecticut resident, and a fellow FGM/C survivor, even gained more than 80,0000 signatures in support of passing it. Yet, Connecticut remains one of only nine states without legal protection against FGM/C. It is also the only New England state and only state bordering New York in which FGM/C is legal. This means that right now, in your neighborhoods, there are girls at risk and survivors without the resources they desperately need. Our coalition learned of one high school girl who fled to New York from Connecticut because of fear family members would force her to undergo FGM/C.
You might be wondering why this issue hasn't been addressed yet. The truth is, it's complicated. Cultural sensitivities, misconceptions, and political challenges have all played a role in delaying progress. But the CT Coalition has made significant strides. We've educated community organizations, built coalitions, and gained support from influential bodies such as the Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, and Equity. Even Connecticut’s governor, Ned Lamont and lieutenant governor, Susan Bysiewicz recognize the importance of this issue, having issued proclamations and citations marking Feb. 6 as Zero Tolerance Day for FGM/C for the past two years in Connecticut. While this acknowledgment is significant, recognizing FGM/C is a form of sexual assault, these declarations must be backed by legislative action by the state. We need to ban FGM/C and invest in community education and outreach to prevent future generations of girls from undergoing this harm.
We're so close to making real change happen. But we need Connecticut’s legislators — newly elected and continuing to push this over the finish line. As a fellow New England resident who cares about the safety and well-being of all members of our community, I’m asking Connecticut citizens to reach out to your legislators. Urge them to introduce and support a bill that would make FGM/C illegal in your state.
This isn’t just about passing a law; it’s about changing lives. And, it’s a way to send a clear message that in Connecticut, we value the health, safety, and bodily autonomy of all women and girls. It's about providing resources for survivors and education for communities. It's about aligning our state with human rights standards and joining the majority of the nation in taking a stand against gender-based violence.
Taking action on an issue you might not be familiar with can feel daunting. But remember, every great change starts with a single step. Your email, your phone call, or your letter could be the tipping point that brings this bill to the floor and protects Connecticut girls from harm. The new legislative session is about to begin, and we have a golden opportunity to make FGM/C illegal in our state. Stand with us to be the voice for those who have been silenced, and do what you can today to make Connecticut safer for all women and girls.
Mariya Taher has worked in gender-based violence for nearly 15 years in teaching, research, policy, program development, and direct service. In 2015, she cofounded Sahiyo, a transnational organization with the mission to empower Asian and other communities to end female genital cutting (FGC). In 2023, she was honored with the Women of Worth award by L’Oreal Paris USA as one of the top 10 female nonprofit leaders. She is also a public voices fellow on advancing the rights of women and girls, a partnership between Equality Now and The OpEd Project."