Female Genital Mutilation: Some of these pages are difficult to look at, but these three Web sites do a good job of covering what is a widespread problem of profound consequence to most cultures throughout Africa and is life changing to the great majority of most women in Africa. 

http://www.fgmnetwork.org/
Lightfoot-klein/prisonersofritual.htm.      

Female Genital Mutiliation: "Prisoners of Ritual - Some Contemporary Developments in the History of Female Genital Mutilation" by Hanny Lightfoot-Klein, a "paper presented at the Second International Symposium on Circumcision in San Francisco, April 30-May 3, 1991.  5000 w.

http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/
cgi/content/full/pediatrics;102/1/153  

"Female Genital Mutilation": American Academy of Pediatrics, Committee on Bioethics, Policy Statement.  Pediatrics, Vol. 102, No. 1, July 1998, pp. 153-156.  "Abstract": "The traditional custom of ritual cutting and alteration of the genitalia of female infants, girls, and adolescents...persists....  Immigrants...may [also] have daughters who have undergone a ritual genital procedure or may request that such a procedure be performed…."  2000 w.   (WARNING: GRAPHIC DRAWINGS).

http://www.religioustolerance.org/
fem_cirm.htm.  

"Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Africa, the Middle East & Far East" by B.A. Robinson - .Viewpoint from Islamic beliefs.  "FGM is a social custom, not a religious practice. However, in those Muslim countries where it is practiced, FGM is often justified by a controversial saying attributed to the Prophet Mohammed that seems to favor sunna circumcision.... Even if true, it only permits the practice, ...not mandate it." 1600 w.

Health Information for Travelers to Countries in West Africa, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
www.cdc.gov/travel/wafrica.htm#
country

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