By Nishikant Mendhapurkar, Bhaiyo Volunteer
I first came across the issue of female genital cutting (FGM/C) during a research project I was involved with at university, though I had also heard about it from friends several years ago. Over time, my role evolved from a researcher to an ally. I became increasingly involved in advocacy and awareness efforts, working to challenge gender-based violence through informed, culturally sensitive approaches.
What truly motivated me to become more involved was the silence I encountered when I attempted to discuss FGM/C with other men while assisting a researcher working on a project about FGM/C. Many dismissed it as a “women’s issue” or simply refused to engage in conversations about FGM/C at all. It was clear that unless men were part of the conversation, the silence around the practice and the harm it causes would continue to go unchecked.
When I joined Sahiyo six years ago, I was driven by curiosity and compassion, but it was through listening, learning, and unlearning that I truly understood the deep impact of FGM/C. Hearing from survivors and health professionals and the grassroots activists was truly inspiring. As a man, I knew I had to come to this work with humility. I respect cultural practice, yes but not when it also violates bodily autonomy, and it causes violence that continues to impact women throughout their lives, both physically and emotionally.
As a man who works within the movement to end FGM/C, I gradually came to understand the importance of one of the most pressing legal gaps: the lack of explicit criminalisation in domestic laws regarding FGM/C. In most countries, FGM/C is not even classified as a distinct offense, and laws addressing assault or bodily harm don’t always sufficiently deal with the gendered and culturally rooted nature of this form of violence.
This lack of clear legal guidance weakens the power of the law and sends a message that protecting the rights and safety of women and girls isn’t a legislative priority. As someone who used to believe this wasn’t “my issue,” I've learned that when the law fails to speak or take a stand, society tends to remain silent too. We need laws that specifically address FGM/C, l can convict those who commit these acts, and offer some comfort and protection to survivors and those at risk. Importantly, those women and men who are carrying out FGM/C, also need to be held responsible for their actions under the law. Without clear legal frameworks and the commitment to enforce them, we risk failing the very people we are striving to protect and uplift.