The Michigan State Senate in the US passed a legislation allowing the termination of parental rights of those forcing their children to undergo female genital mutilation ( FGM ). “Such people should not be legally allowed to continue as a parent because they are clearly not concerned with the well-being of their own flesh and blood,” said Rep Peter Lucido , vice chair of the House Law and Justice Committee.



The legislation was passed after two 7-year-old girls from Minnesota were allegedly subjected to FGM at the Burhani Medical Clinic in Livonia . Eight people, including Dr Jumana Nagarwala , who ‘cut’ them, are currently being prosecuted in the federal court. We Speak Out, an organization of FGM survivors, fighting against the practice in India has called the legislation a deterrent, but ‘harsh’. “We do not agree with removal of parental rights, but some form of strong deterrent is necessary,” Masooma Ranalvi , convener of We Speak Out, told Mirror.