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The Lead: A Historic Turning Point in Colombia's Fight Against FGMOn June 14, 2026, Colombian activists, backed by international NGOs and a coalition of lawmakers, celebrated a watershed moment as the Senate voted to criminalize female genital mutilation (FGM) nationwide. The legislation positions Colombia as the first Latin American nation to outlaw the practice, marking a decisive step toward safeguarding the bodily autonomy of women and girls.Grassroots Mobilization and Legal Push to Ban FGM in ColombiaThe breakthrough resulted from a multi‑year campaign that combined community outreach, strategic litigation, and political lobbying:Local women’s groups organized over 150 rallies across 12 departments, raising public awareness.Legal teams filed 23 constitutional challenges that highlighted violations of health and human‑rights statutes.International partners, including UN Women and Plan International, provided technical assistance and funding for advocacy.FGM Prevalence, Funding, and Judicial OutcomesData collected by the Ministry of Health and independent NGOs reveal the scale of the issue:Estimated 5% of Colombian women (approximately 200,000) have undergone some form of FGM.Annual government spending on related health services rose from $3 million in 2022 to $7 million in 2025, reflecting growing recognition of the problem.The Senate’s vote was a 98‑2 split, with the two dissenting votes citing concerns over enforcement logistics.Societal Ripple Effects: From Communities to International BodiesThe law’s passage is already reshaping attitudes and policies:Public opinion polls show a jump from 42% to 68% of respondents supporting an FGM ban within six months.Regional bodies, such as the Organization of American States, have pledged to monitor compliance and share best practices.Health professionals are undergoing mandatory training on identifying and reporting FGM cases, aiming to reduce under‑reporting.What Comes Next: Legislative Milestones and Enforcement ChallengesWhile the law is a monumental achievement, implementation will require sustained effort:Drafting detailed enforcement protocols is slated for the first quarter of 2027, with a focus on rural outreach.Funding mechanisms are being established to support survivors, including counseling and medical reconstruction services.Continued vigilance from civil society will be essential to ensure that the legal framework translates into real‑world protection.

For the first time, a team of researchers has successfully mapped out the intricate network of nerves within the clitoris, a crucial organ responsible for female sexual pleasure. This achievement comes almost 30 years after a similar mapping was completed for the penis. The 3D scans of two female pelvises, donated through a body donor program, have provided unprecedented detail on the five complex tree-like branching nerves running through the clitoris. The widest of these nerves measures 0.7mm across. Led by Ju Young Lee, a research associate at Amsterdam University Medical Center, the study challenges existing knowledge about the anatomy of the clitoris. For instance, previous research suggested that the dorsal nerve of the clitoris diminished as it approached the glans, but the new scans show that it continues strongly to the end. The clitoris, one of the least-studied organs in the human body, has been neglected by researchers for far too long, according to Melbourne urologist Helen O'Connell. She notes that cultural taboos around female sexuality have hindered scientific investigations, and it wasn't until 1995 that the clitoris was included in standard anatomy textbooks. The mapping of clitoral nerves is expected to inform reconstructive surgery after female genital mutilation, which affects over 230 million girls and women worldwide. A better understanding of the nerve pathways could reduce the number of women who experience a decline in orgasmic experience after surgery. This breakthrough also has implications for vulvar cancer treatment, gender reassignment surgery, and genital cosmetic surgeries. As Lee hopes to open a clitoris exhibition to expand knowledge about the organ, inspired by the Vagina Museum in London, the study marks a significant step forward in understanding female sexual function and anatomy.