Colombia is advancing a bill seeking to prohibit female genital mutilation (FGM). Yesterday, the law was approved by the House of Representatives and will now move to the Senate for final approval by Congress.
The initiative proposes prevention and education strategies with an intercultural focus to eliminate this practice, which still persists in some indigenous communities across the country.
Colombia advances law against female genital mutilation
Colombia’s House of Representatives approved the law against female genital mutilation yesterday, Tuesday, April 1. This marks an important first step for the legislative text, which will now be debated in the Senate.
The bill is championed by congresswomen Alexandra Vasquez of the governing Historic Pact party, Jennifer Pedraza of the progressive Dignity and Commitment party, and Carolina Giraldo of the Green Alliance party.
The legislative proposal aims to prevent, address, and eradicate this practice, which remains active in the country, particularly among indigenous communities such as the Embera. Female leaders from these communities have supported and endorsed the project from its inception.
Congresswoman Alexandra Vasquez, one of the law’s proponents, stated, “Colombia is the only country in Latin America that has acknowledged female genital mutilation is still practiced within the indigenous community. While there is no precise record of the number of affected girls in the country, it is known that several have died as a result of this practice.”
Similarly, Representative Jennifer Pedraza emphasized that “the fight against female genital mutilation requires a comprehensive approach addressing the cultural, social, and structural factors contributing to its perpetuation.”
Pedraza highlighted the importance of promoting education and awareness on the issue, which is why the project has the support of various social organizations.
An ancestral practice with serious consequences
Female genital mutilation (FGM), also known as ablation, is a practice involving the alteration or injury of female genital organs for non-medical reasons. This custom, recognized as a human rights violation, affects over 230 million girls and women worldwide, according to data from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
FGM is performed for various sociocultural reasons. In many communities, it is considered a rite of passage into womanhood and a requirement for marriage. It is also erroneously believed to preserve girls’ “purity” and “chastity.” These beliefs perpetuate gender inequality and reflect control over female sexuality.
The consequences of female genital mutilation are severe and long-lasting. Immediately after the procedure, girls may experience intense pain, bleeding, infections, and, in extreme cases, death. Long-term, they face urinary and menstrual complications, reduced sexual pleasure, childbirth-related issues, and psychological disorders such as depression and post-traumatic stress.
In Colombia, FGM is primarily identified within the Indigenous Embera community, which has approximately 250,000 members. Although the practice gained public attention in 2007 following the deaths of two girls from infections caused by the procedure, the lack of official data makes it difficult to determine its exact prevalence.
According to the National Institute of Health, 60 cases of genital mutilation were recorded in the country in 2024. However, these figures may underestimate the reality due to underreporting and the clandestine nature of the practice.