Changes

'''Female genital mutilation''' (FGM), sometimes referred to euphemistically as "female circumcision", refers to various forms of permanent and harmful operations performed on the private parts of girls or women. Although not exclusively [[Islam]]ic — Christians, Jews, and animists have been known to practice it — FGM is primarily an Islamic practice.<ref>

'''Female genital mutilation''' (FGM), sometimes referred to euphemistically as "female circumcision", refers to various forms of permanent and harmful operations performed on the private parts of girls or women. Although not exclusively [[Islam]]ic — Christians, Jews, and animists have been known to practice it — FGM is primarily an Islamic practice.<ref>Munro, Neil (April 13, 2017). [http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/04/13/feds-promise-protect-half-million-genital-mutilation/ Feds Promise to Protect Half a Million American Girls from Genital Mutilation]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 14, 2017.</ref><ref>Roys, Julie (May 8, 2017). [http://thefederalist.com/2017/05/08/fear-islam-not-enable-female-genital-mutilation-inside-united-states/ Fear Of Islam Should Not Enable Female Genital Mutilation Inside The United States]. ''The Federalist''. Retrieved June 14, 2017.</ref><ref>Khan, Aysha (April 27, 2017). [http://religionnews.com/2017/04/27/the-splainer-what-is-female-genital-mutilation-and-what-does-it-have-to-do-with-islam/ The ’Splainer: What is female genital mutilation, and what does it have to do with Islam?]. ''Religion News Service''. Retrieved June 14, 2017.</ref>

*Munro, Neil (April 13, 2017). [http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/04/13/feds-promise-protect-half-million-genital-mutilation/ Feds Promise to Protect Half a Million American Girls from Genital Mutilation]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 14, 2017.

*Roys, Julie (May 8, 2017). [http://thefederalist.com/2017/05/08/fear-islam-not-enable-female-genital-mutilation-inside-united-states/ Fear Of Islam Should Not Enable Female Genital Mutilation Inside The United States]. ''The Federalist''. Retrieved June 14, 2017.

*Khan, Aysha (April 27, 2017). [http://religionnews.com/2017/04/27/the-splainer-what-is-female-genital-mutilation-and-what-does-it-have-to-do-with-islam/ The ’Splainer: What is female genital mutilation, and what does it have to do with Islam?]. ''Religion News Service''. Retrieved June 14, 2017.</ref>

Female genital mutilation is extremely rare in the West but is widely practiced in parts of [[Asia]], the [[Middle East]], and East [[Africa]], especially but not exclusively where Islam predominates.   

Female genital mutilation is extremely rare in the West but is widely practiced in parts of [[Asia]], the [[Middle East]], and East [[Africa]], especially but not exclusively where Islam predominates.   

* ...  practitioners look on it as an integral part of their cultural and ethnic identity, and some perceive it as a religious obligation [http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/journals/2313097.html Female Circumcision: Rite of Passage Or Violation of Rights?] - Guttmacher Institute

<blockquote>...  practitioners look on it as an integral part of their cultural and ethnic identity, and some perceive it as a religious obligation [http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/journals/2313097.html Female Circumcision: Rite of Passage Or Violation of Rights?] - Guttmacher Institute</blockquote>

The mutilation is usually carried out when the girl is prepubescent,<ref>[http://www.path.org/files/FGM-The-Facts.htm Female Genital Mutilation – The Wallace Global Fund]</ref> often forcibly and against her wishes.  It can cause many potential genito-urinary complications, including infection, urinary incontinence, and increased risk of problems during future childbirth.

The mutilation is usually carried out when the girl is prepubescent,<ref>[http://www.path.org/files/FGM-The-Facts.htm Female Genital Mutilation – The Wallace Global Fund]</ref> often forcibly and against her wishes.  It can cause many potential genito-urinary complications, including infection, urinary incontinence, and increased risk of problems during future childbirth.

Worldwide, an estimated 3 million mutilations are performed each year,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nofgmukbook.com/2015/01/29/introduction/title=Eradicating Female Genital Mutilation: Introduction|accessdate=June 15, 2017}}</ref> and 200 million girls and women are living with FGM.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nofgmukbook.com/2015/10/01/intro-index/|title=Welcome To The Eradicating Female Genital Mutilation Website|accessdate=June 15, 2017}}</ref>

Worldwide, an estimated 3 million mutilations are performed each year,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nofgmukbook.com/2015/01/29/introduction/|title=Eradicating Female Genital Mutilation: Introduction|accessdate=June 15, 2017}}</ref> and 200 million girls and women are living with FGM.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nofgmukbook.com/2015/10/01/intro-index/|title=Welcome To The Eradicating Female Genital Mutilation Website|accessdate=June 15, 2017}}</ref>

==Legislation==

==Legislation==