Colombia bans female genital mutilation after historic legislative approval

Published at: 15/06/2026 04:23 PM

The Colombian Senate has unanimously approved the bill called “Girls without Ablation”, marking a milestone in the protection of the rights of indigenous girls and women in the country. With this measure, the nation positions itself as the first country in Latin America to formally legislate against the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), also recognized as ablation.

The initiative is the result of two years of efforts and has been celebrated as a fundamental turning point for indigenous communities. In this regard, the Embera indigenous leader, Claudia Quiragama, highlighted the great relevance of this measure for the protection and well-being of their communities.

After unanimous approval in the legislature, the bill is now awaiting official approval by President Gustavo Petro to enter into force. The new legislation represents a decisive step in guaranteeing the human rights and physical integrity of girls and women in Colombian territory.

Mazo News Team