Kentucky’s new law criminalizing the barbaric practice of female genital mutilation—FGM—has been dubbed “Jenny’s Law.” Jenny was a leading voice in campaigning to get the law passed.
Jenny, who asked that we not use her last name, told her own harrowing story about FGM, which she underwent at the age of five. Although an intensely private person, Jenny felt she had to do whatever it took to help spare other girls from undergoing the brutal procedure.
In fighting for the anti-FGM law, Jenny worked with the AHA Foundation, established by Ayaan Hirsi Ali in 2007 to fight against female mutilation, honor killings, and forced marriage.
Jenny did not fit the mold of young girls who undergo this secretive practice. It’s most common among African, Middle Eastern and Asian cultures, but Jenny is white and the daughter of a preacher.
Some of this story is graphic, but we believe that you will come away from it admiring Jenny’s courage and wanting to do something to stop this barbaric practice that has no medical benefits and is more prevalent in the U.S. than you might think.
