Colombia Becomes First Latin American Country to Explicitly Ban Female Genital Mutilation

Colombia has become the first country in Latin America to explicitly ban female genital mutilation (FGM), following years of campaigning by human rights groups and indigenous community advocates. The new legislation specifically targets the practice among indigenous communities where it has persisted despite existing protections under child protection and assault laws. Colombia is home to several indigenous groups where FGM has been practiced as part of cultural traditions. Human rights organizations praised the move as a significant step forward, though they noted that effective enforcement would be crucial to ensuring the ban has real impact on the ground. The legislation includes provisions for education and community outreach to address the cultural dimensions of the practice. The United Nations estimates that more than 230 million girls and women alive today have undergone FGM worldwide.