Political Quotes

“I rise today to introduce the Girls' Protection Act of 2011. This legislation addresses a topic that is difficult to talk about. It deals with the issue of female genital mutilation, FGM, a harmful cultural ritual with origins in Africa, Asia and the Middle East, that involves the removal of part or all of female genitalia. FGM has no medical justification and is not based in religious beliefs. In fact, FGM, which is usually carried out on young girls sometime between infancy and fifteen years of age, can cause lifelong physical and psychological damage. The procedure is typically performed without an anesthetic and can cause bleeding, shock, infections and even death because of hemorrhage and unhygienic conditions. Lifelong health consequences include chronic infection, complications during pregnancy and labor, as well as severe pain during urination, menstruation, and sexual intercourse. This cruel procedure has been internationally recognized as a violation of the human rights of girls and women. I first learned about FGM in 1994 when I read an article reporting the arrest of two men in Egypt who arranged for the filming of this appalling ritual procedure being performed on a ten year-old girl. Although this ritual is predominately practiced in various parts of Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, some ethnic communities in the United States continue to subject young girls to FGM.…”