I read a story recently that I thought was sick and depraved. I know this sort of thing has occurred for several years but I think awareness is vital.
Female genital mutilation is the cutting away of the outside of the female genitals or otherwise causing injury to the genital area.
According to womanshealth.gov female genital mutilation is practiced predominantly in 28 countries in Africa.1, 4 Eighteen African countries have prevalence rates of 50 percent or higher, but these estimates vary from country to country and within various ethnic groups.1, 4 FGC also occurs in some Middle Eastern countries-Egypt, the Republic of Yemen, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Israel-and is found in some Muslim groups in Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan and India.6 Some immigrants practice various forms of FGC in other parts of the world, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United States and in European nations.
The most important thing I would like to say about this practice is that it is very painful as well as can cause death. The reason why some cultures practice this atrocity is because they believe that it preserves womanhood or creates a safety net for promiscuity. I guess the word freedom or free will is not important in some cultures.
There are laws in effect to protect women from genital mutilation and also helplines where you can receive more information.
Amnesty International
http://www.amnesty.org/ailib/intcam/femgen/fgm1.htm
Reproductive Health Outlook Annotated Bibliography on Harmful Traditional Practices
http://www.rho.org/html/hthps-b-02.html#fgm
Center for Reproductive Rights
http://www.crlp.org/
The World Health Organization
http://www.who.int/health_topics/female_genital_mutilation/en/
To obtain a complete copy of "Caring for Women with Circumcision," written by Dr. Nahid Toubia, please call the National Women's Health Information Center's toll-free referral service at 1-800-994-WOMAN or 1-888-220-5446, TDD.