#WeNeedTheERA because we have the right to bodily integrity. While there is a perception among western countries that FGM is a problem that only afflicts the Global South, this is far from accurate. FGM occurs across all cultural, religious, and socioeconomic groups and is practiced on every continent except Antarctica. In fact, in the US, approximately 513,000 women and girls have undergone or are at risk of FGM. Regardless of race or ethnicity, women and girls in the US may be subjected to FGM domestically or brought abroad— a practice known as “vacation cutting.” It is estimated that rates of FGM have tripled in the country since 1990. Despite the prevalence of the practice in the USA and the persisting risk to many women and girls, 20% of American states do not have laws criminalizing FGM. Head to the link in bio to explore our latest factsheet on the impact the #EqualRightsAmendment could have on the efforts to protect women and girls across the US from #FGM. #ERAYes #INeedTheERA #WeNeedTheERA #WomensRightsAreHumanRights #EndFGM #EndFGM2030 #FGMisGlobal https://www.equalitynow.org/resource/we-need-the-era-because-fgm-factsheet/