Colombia becomes the first Latin American country to ban female genital mutilation

July 6, 2026

Colombia has become the first Latin American country to ban female genital mutilation through the passage of Bill 440 of 2025, known as "Girls Without Ablation. " The legislation emerged from grassroots advocacy by Indigenous Emberá women and other survivors who witnessed devastating health consequences, including infant deaths from infections following the procedure. Rather than criminalizing practitioners, the law takes an intercultural approach by establishing government committees, healthcare protocols, and data collection systems designed to protect girls while working collaboratively with affected communities.

Who is affected

Girls aged 17 days to 12 years in Colombia, primarily from Indigenous Emberá Chamí communities
Two out of every three Emberá women who have undergone genital mutilation
177 Indigenous girls documented between 2020-2025, primarily in Risaralda and Chocó departments
Afro-Colombian, Raizal, Palenquero, and migrant communities where cases have been identified
Survivors like Alejandrina Guasorna who became advocates for change
Traditional birth attendants and grandmothers who perform the procedures
Government agencies, Colombian Family Welfare Institute (ICBF), civil society organizations, and community representatives involved in the interinstitutional committee

What action is being taken

The Colombian Senate voted and approved Bill 440 of 2025 on June 10, 2026
An interinstitutional committee is being established comprised of government agencies, ICBF, civil society organizations, and community representatives
Care pathways and mandatory healthcare protocols are being created
Stronger data collection systems are being implemented
President Gustavo Petro must formally sign the legislation into law (pending action)

Why it matters

This legislation makes Colombia the first Latin American country to specifically prohibit female genital mutilation, filling a critical gap in a region where 93 other countries worldwide have documented the practice but only 59 have specific laws addressing it. The law represents a significant milestone in protecting girls from a practice that causes permanent health consequences including hemorrhaging, chronic infections, childbirth complications, psychological trauma, and death. By taking an intercultural, non-punitive approach rather than criminalizing practitioners, the law addresses the root causes while ensuring families won't avoid seeking medical care when complications arise, potentially saving more lives while respecting the complexity of working with marginalized communities.

What's next

President Gustavo Petro must formally sign the legislation into law
The law must be implemented effectively with sustained political will and adequate resources
The interinstitutional committee will need to operationalize care pathways, healthcare protocols, and data collection systems
Continued work is required to ensure no girl in Colombia is subjected to female genital mutilation

Read full article from source: Global Voices