Minnesota Sees No Convictions for Female Genital Mutilation Despite Large At-Risk Population
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — Despite a state law criminalizing female genital mutilation (FGM) as a felony, Minnesota has yet to secure a single conviction related to the practice. This absence of prosecutions persists even as the state hosts one of the largest Somali populations in the United States, a community from a country where approximately 98% of women have undergone FGM, according to data from the United Nations.
More than half a million women and girls across the U.S. live with the physical and psychological consequences of FGM, a practice involving the partial or total removal of female genitalia for non-medical reasons. The procedure is irreversible and often performed for cultural or traditional reasons, frequently within tight-knit communities. Minnesota’s Somali population is particularly vulnerable, yet state authorities face significant obstacles in detecting and prosecuting cases.
“It’s hidden — it’s a cultural practice, and who is doing the cutting could be a family member or a doctor who is also in that same culture,” said Minnesota Republican State Representative Mary Franson. She emphasized that the secrecy and cultural sensitivity surrounding FGM make it exceptionally difficult to uncover cases and bring perpetrators to justice.
Advocates and survivors have spoken out about the silence and shame that envelop the issue, which contributes to the lack of reported incidents. The Minnesota Department of Health and local law enforcement agencies have acknowledged the challenge of balancing cultural respect with the imperative to protect girls and women from harm.
The state’s felony law, enacted to deter and punish FGM, has not yet resulted in any criminal convictions, raising questions about enforcement and the effectiveness of current strategies. Experts suggest that victims may be reluctant to come forward due to fear of stigma or retribution within their communities.
Nationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that hundreds of thousands of girls and women in the U.S. are at risk or have undergone FGM. Federal agencies, including the Department of Justice, have increased efforts to raise awareness and prosecute offenders, but state-level enforcement remains uneven.
Local organizations in Minnesota continue to work with survivors, providing education and support to combat the practice. However, cultural secrecy and the private nature of the procedure complicate detection. Lawmakers like Rep. Franson advocate for enhanced community engagement and culturally sensitive outreach to break the silence.
The issue has drawn attention beyond Minnesota, highlighting the broader challenge of addressing FGM within immigrant communities across the country. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has called for comprehensive approaches involving healthcare providers, educators, and law enforcement to identify and prevent FGM.
As Minnesota grapples with this hidden crisis, advocates stress the need for continued vigilance and collaboration to ensure that the state’s laws translate into real protection for vulnerable girls and women. Without prosecutions, the practice risks remaining a secret shame, concealed behind cultural barriers and silence.
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