Number: RS21923
Title: Female Genital Mutilation (FGM): Background and Issues for Congress
Authors: Tiaji Salaam, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division; and Erin Williams and Ruth Ellen Wasem, Domestic Social Policy Division 
Abstract: Congress has acted to help prevent female genital mutilation (FGM) in several ways. Broadly, it has passed legislation that targets women and aims to improve health conditions around the globe. Specifically, Congress has passed language protecting victims of FGM and criminalizing the practice in the United States in the FY1997 Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations, P.L. 104-208. It has also passed the Foreign Affairs Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2001, P.L. 106-429, which contains language requiring the U.S. Department of State to compile statistics on FGM.
Pages: 6
Date: August 27, 2004