Changes

Female genital mutilation is relatively 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. However, it is growing in Western countries due to Muslim immigration.<ref name="SwissFGM">Tomlinson, Chris (February 24, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/02/24/swiss-islamic-council-justifies-female-genital-mutilation/ Swiss Islamic Council Justifies Female Genital Mutilation]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved February 24, 2018.</ref> The Swiss Islamic Council has defended FGM even though [[Switzerland]] bans the practice.<ref name="SwissFGM"/> Between April 1, 2017, and March 31, 2018, an average of one FGM case every two hours occurred in England.<ref>Deacon, Liam (July 8, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/07/08/england-new-female-genital-mutilation-case-every-two-hours-experts-demand-action/ England: New Female Genital Mutilation Case Every Two Hours, Experts Demand Action]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved July 8, 2018.</ref>

Female genital mutilation is relatively 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. However, it is growing in Western countries due to Muslim immigration.<ref name="SwissFGM">Tomlinson, Chris (February 24, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/02/24/swiss-islamic-council-justifies-female-genital-mutilation/ Swiss Islamic Council Justifies Female Genital Mutilation]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved February 24, 2018.</ref> The Swiss Islamic Council has defended FGM even though [[Switzerland]] bans the practice.<ref name="SwissFGM"/> Between April 1, 2017, and March 31, 2018, an average of one FGM case every two hours occurred in England.<ref>Deacon, Liam (July 8, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/07/08/england-new-female-genital-mutilation-case-every-two-hours-experts-demand-action/ England: New Female Genital Mutilation Case Every Two Hours, Experts Demand Action]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved July 8, 2018.</ref>

<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>

<blockquote>...  practitioners look on it as an integral part of their cultural and ethnic identity, and some perceive it as a religious obligation [https://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.

*{{cite news|url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/04/24/press-briefing-press-secretary-sean-spicer-4242017-40|title=Press Briefing by Press Secretary Sean Spicer, 4/24/2017, #40|date=April 24, 2014|accessdate=June 14, 2017}}

*{{cite news|url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/04/24/press-briefing-press-secretary-sean-spicer-4242017-40|title=Press Briefing by Press Secretary Sean Spicer, 4/24/2017, #40|date=April 24, 2014|accessdate=June 14, 2017}}

*Cohen, Kelly (April 13, 2017). [https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/doj-to-charge-first-person-under-law-criminalizing-female-genital-mutilation/article/2620214 DOJ to charge first person under law criminalizing female genital mutilation]. ''Washington Examiner''. Retrieved June 14, 2017.

*Cohen, Kelly (April 13, 2017). [https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/doj-to-charge-first-person-under-law-criminalizing-female-genital-mutilation/article/2620214 DOJ to charge first person under law criminalizing female genital mutilation]. ''Washington Examiner''. Retrieved June 14, 2017.

*Ali, Safia Samee (April 13, 2017). [http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/michigan-doctor-charged-performing-female-genital-mutilations-n746401 Michigan Doctor Charged With Performing Female Genital Mutilations]. ''NBC News''. Retrieved June 14, 2017.

*Ali, Safia Samee (April 13, 2017). [https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/michigan-doctor-charged-performing-female-genital-mutilations-n746401 Michigan Doctor Charged With Performing Female Genital Mutilations]. ''NBC News''. Retrieved June 14, 2017.

*{{cite web|url=https://www.justice.gov/usao-edmi/pr/three-indicted-female-genital-mutilation|title=Three Indicted for Female Genital Mutilation|date= April 26, 2017|accessdate=June 14, 2017}}

*{{cite web|url=https://www.justice.gov/usao-edmi/pr/three-indicted-female-genital-mutilation|title=Three Indicted for Female Genital Mutilation|date= April 26, 2017|accessdate=June 14, 2017}}

*{{cite news|url=http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2017/06/08/michigan-house-passes-female-genital-mutilation-legislation/382356001/|title=Michigan House passes female genital mutilation legislation|date=June 8, 2017 |accessdate=June 14, 2017|work=Detroit Free Press}}

*{{cite news|url=http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2017/06/08/michigan-house-passes-female-genital-mutilation-legislation/382356001/|title=Michigan House passes female genital mutilation legislation|date=June 8, 2017 |accessdate=June 14, 2017|work=Detroit Free Press}}