María Sánchez

to Discuss legislation before the DC Council

on Monday, February 28th

Guest, MARÍA VIOLA SÁNCHEZ, PhD, MA

Founder, STOP THE CUT! Eradicating Female Genital Mutilation

My former cohost, María Sánchez, is coming back to the show to talk about important legislation before the Council's Judiciary & Public Safety Committee. The District of Columbia is one of 10 jurisdictions in the United States that does not have a prohibition against female genital mutilation (FGM) – a practice that affects 200 million girls and women worldwide. This legislation also affects females in the District and María will shed light on the importance of passing this bill.

Sánchez holds a PhD in Psychology (Fielding Graduate University, 2021) a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology (Pepperdine University, 2017) and a master’s degree in Media Psychology (Fielding Graduate University, 2019). María was elected to Fielding Graduate University’s Board of Trustees in 2019, as a full voting member and still serves, and she served as Fielding’s Student Body President (2018–2020). María’s doctoral dissertation is entitled, “USING THE BYSTANDER INTERVENTION MODEL TO IMPROVE EFFORTS TO REDUCE FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION.”

María has become an activist and founded a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization to help with the worldwide eradication of female genital mutilation (FGM).

STOP THE CUT!

At least four million girls worldwide are at risk each year of undergoing female genital mutilation (FGM) – with most girls cut before the age of 15.

Significant progress has been made in eliminating this harmful practice, but more is needed – and fast – if we are to end it once and for all.