http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs241/en/

The practice is barbaric. The circumsicion of males and females should be banned not only because of its barbarism but lack of consent on the part of the child, and the health risks involved. Circumcision is not mentioned in the Koran and is practised in many non-Islamic cultures in Africa.

It seems to pre-date the rise of Christianity and Islam. This is becoming a real problem in the UK now with 1000s of schoolgirls facing the prospect of FGM in unhygienic backyard situations.

There are many Muslims now fighting to ban FGM and Imams coming in to the debate denouncing the practice in places like Mauritania. I think that is the best way to fight this practice ie. from within those cultures that practise it.

http://www.alertnet.org/db/an_art/58388/2010/00/21-170431-1.htm

Banning won't stop it but will send a clear message that FGM and circumcision won't be tolerated in societies that value the contribution of all it's citizens regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, age etal.

I dont agree. Male circumcision, in my experience, has really not been a drama so far. I keep checking it constantly, you know, just to make sure there are no cracks or imperfections but mostly it passes muster with flying colours. Its form and function are equal to or greater than my carrot-shaped counterparts, and so the building analogy is that of a bit of fibro blocking the view.

Girls bodies should be left alone, unless theres some reason to see the doctor.

What pelican said.

I think that laws against FGM should be enforced, and further that the mooted 'ritual nick' should not be countenanced in Australia. I gather that it's been rejected in the US now, so it's unlikely to be adopted here anyway.

My position derives from the interests of the children who are subject to these anachronistic, unnecessary and quite barbaric practices.

Of course, the same arguments can be applied to male children, who are still commonly circumcised for 'health' reasons in Australian hospitals.

I was circumcised when I was born, but my adult son wasn't, basically since the hospital policy at the time was anti-circumcision and neither his mother nor I could think of a good reason for him to be surgically mutilated. Twenty years later he seems to be suffering no ill-effects from having a foreskin.

Mind you, I've never noticed any ill-effects from not having one. But how would I know?

Seriously, I think that any form of genital (or other) surgery on children should be performed only on strictly medical grounds. Religious tolerance shouldn't extend to child abuse, IMHO.

Banjo: my gut feeling is that the health depts will keep the figures under wraps. I seriously doubt that any story, no matter even if a few little girls die will make it into the newspapers.
FGM is not mentioned in the Koran, but a friend of mine said that it is part of Sharia law.
On another forum I'm on the feeling was if Australians allow this FGM, we might as well allow their other beliefs to be accepted. Like honour killings and killing apostates.
I think FGM is the line in the sand.

pelican,
Thanks for that link, it is,at least, good that some immans are speaking against the practice. The more that speak out against it the better.

Abby,
Some deaths of young girls may be able to be covered up, but usually there is an inquest by a coroner and then the media report on his findings. When that happens it will bring the issue to the fore and poiticians may then act. It is a pity that we have to wait for such an event, but how often have we seen a dangerous road situation only fixed after a tragety has occured?

FGM is mainly a cultural practice in some Islamic societies, but not exclusively so. I understand it is, or was, practiced in some Christian and Jewish cultures as well. FGM pre-dates religions.

I think you will find the continuing of an alien cultural practice depends on how easy it is to hide it, to some sxtent. Honour killings, killings of apostates and bull fighting are difficult to hide, whereas FGM, female oppression, forced marriages and even cockfighting are easier to hide.

That is why I think we should begin prosecutions for FGM and stop further immigration of the cultures that practice it.

The sooner we 'grasp the nettle' and enforce the law the better.

Pelican is right. The practice is barbaric but not nearly as much as abortion. At least these poor little girls still have their lives.