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Colombia's Senate has approved a law to ban female genital mutilation (FGM), a practice that persists in some of the country's Indigenous communities, after two years of debate. If signed by President Gustavo Petro, Colombia will become the first country in Latin America to pass such legislation, as reported by The Hindu.

The bill, known as Bill 440, gives the Colombian government 12 months to create a permanent, nationwide public policy for the eradication of FGM, according to Al Jazeera. Its approach is non-punitive, focusing on raising public awareness, funding educational campaigns, providing healthcare training, and improving case tracking.

Coverage Comparison

Al Jazeera emphasizes community-led change, highlighting the efforts of activists like Pepe Batesa, who has advocated for over a decade despite initial opposition from her own community. The report details the challenges of reaching remote Embera villages, some located six hours or more from the nearest population center and only accessible by foot, mule, or boat.

The Hindu's coverage focuses on the legislative milestone, reporting that the Senate approved the law on Wednesday, June 10, 2026. It includes the World Health Organization's (WHO) warning that FGM causes serious health damage, poses a risk of death, and violates the fundamental rights of girls.

Key Claims

  • Colombia's Senate approved a law to ban female genital mutilation, as reported by The Hindu.
  • The WHO says FGM causes serious health damage and violates fundamental rights of girls.
  • If approved by President Gustavo Petro, Colombia will become the first Latin American country to pass such legislation, as reported by The Hindu.
  • Between 2020 and 2025, 204 FGM cases were reported, but the number is believed to be vastly underreported, according to The Hindu.
  • Bill 440 gives the Colombian government 12 months to create a permanent, nationwide public policy for the eradication of FGM, as reported by Al Jazeera.
  • The legislation focuses on raising public awareness, funding educational campaigns, providing healthcare training, and improving case tracking, according to Al Jazeera.
  • Community attitudes have changed with increased dialogue, as reported by Al Jazeera.
  • Colombia's ongoing armed conflict has contributed to the isolation of some communities, according to Al Jazeera.

Perspectives

Community Activists

Pepe Batesa, a proponent of eradicating FGM, described her initial struggle: "At the beginning, when I started working, it was a difficult struggle. They said that this should not be, that this is a violation of cultural rights, that our culture cannot be abandoned." She noted that attitudes have shifted: "After listening to everything, they came around."

Indigenous Leadership

Juliana Domico, senior leader of the National Confederation of the Peoples of the Great Embera Nation of Colombia, said on the Senate floor: "This is not a cultural practice, absolutely not. It is a harmful practice that was imposed." She also highlighted resource barriers, saying, "If you don't even have money for a bottle of water, you can't travel to the community where you're going to give a workshop."

Legislative Sponsor

Representative Jennifer Pedraza, one of the bill's authors, argues that a punitive approach would have risked alienating communities. The legislation's non-punitive design aims to foster dialogue and education instead.