Eliminating FGM/C and child marriage in Hawai’i

Worldwide, girls continue to be affected by female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) and child marriage, two distinct but closely connected harms that shape their health, their choices, and their futures. These issues are often addressed in isolation, even though they are driven by many of the same inequalities and gaps in protection. 

• In Hawai’i, more than 300 individuals are estimated to have undergone FGM/C, and roughly  1,041 girls continue to be at risk. 
• In Hawai’i, under current law, girls can marry at 15 years old.

What are FGM/C and child marriage? 

Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is the partial or total removal of external female genitalia or other injury to female genital organs for non-medical reasons. Child marriage occurs when a person under 18 is married or placed in a formal or informal union.

Both are recognised globally as profound manifestations of gender inequality and forms of gender-based violence, yet they continue to affect girls across the United States, and girls in Hawaiʻi remain vulnerable without strong, comprehensive protections in place.

Are girls in Hawai’i at risk of FGM/C and child marriage? 

FGM/C is deeply rooted in gender inequality and discriminatory social norms that are present in nearly all cultures, religions, and communities across the world. 

In Hawai’i, more than 300 individuals are estimated to have undergone FGM/C, and roughly  1,041 girls continue to be at risk. Most people who are subjected to FGM/C are minors, and the physical health and psychological impacts can be severe and life-long.  Collective advocacy is required to encourage reporting and solidify protections for women and girls statewide. 

Between 2000 and 2021, 86% of all marriages in the US where at least one party was under the age of 18 were girls married to adult males. In Hawai’i, 835 children were married between 2000 and 2022, 82 percent of whom were girls married to adult men. Under current law, girls in Hawai’i can marry at 15 years old. Marrying early can drastically alter the course of one’s life and have negative ramifications on health, education, and economic opportunities. In the long term, child brides earn less, face greater economic insecurity, and are more likely to live in poverty than their peers who marry as adults.

What are the laws against FGM/C and child marriage in Hawai’i? 

Comprehensive laws are a powerful tool for preventing and addressing FGM/C and child marriage. Legal protections can help stop harm before it happens, hold offenders accountable, and give survivors pathways to safety and justice.

In the United States, federal law prohibits FGM/C, but state laws vary widely. Some states provide clear protections and safeguards, while others leave gaps that can put girls at risk. 

Across the U.S., 42 states and the District of Columbia have laws that prohibit FGM/C, while only 17 states have set the minimum age for marriage at 18, without exception. 

Both are prohibited under international law, yet remain unaddressed by legislation in Hawaiʻi, but there is hope that could change.

House Bill 2448 was introduced in 2026 and was voted through the House, but was not called to a Senate committee hearing prior to the deadline. If enacted, the new law will clearly define FGM/C as child abuse and make it a Class B felony. The bill also gives survivors the right to seek civil remedies. Only medically necessary procedures would be permitted, and cultural or religious traditions would not be accepted as a justification for allowing FGM/C to continue.

What to do if someone is at risk or has experienced FGM/C or child marriage in Hawai’i? 

If someone is at risk or has already experienced FGM/C or child marriage, safety comes first. Support should be survivor-centred, confidential, and nonjudgmental.

Healthcare providers, educators, social workers, and legal professionals can play a critical role by recognising warning signs, responding appropriately, and connecting individuals to services. Survivors should never be blamed or isolated. Protection means ensuring access to care, legal support, and trusted resources, and making sure systems respond with dignity and respect.

Local hotlines can be found at the bottom of this page. 

Additional resources: 

• Hawai’i Factsheet on FGM/C
• A map of FGM/C legislation in the US
• Child Marriage Legislation Progress Map 
• How Constitutional Equality could help mitigate FGM & Child marriage in the US
• Reporting on FGM: A factsheet for journalists
• Mental Health Care for those impacted by FGM/C and other resources from the US End FGM/C Network 
• A history of FGM legislation in the US
• Opposing the conflation of female genital mutilation and gender-affirming care in the US 
• Voices to End FGM/C