REFERENCE TITLE: zero tolerance; female genital mutilation

State of Arizona House of Representatives Fifty-third Legislature First Regular Session 2017

HCM 2011

Introduced by Representative Ugenti-Rita

 

A CONCURRENT MEMORIAL

 

urging the United States Congress to recognize February 6th as the Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation.

 

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

 

To the Congress of the United States of America:

      Your memorialist respectfully represents:

Whereas, female genital mutilation (FGM) is a harmful traditional practice carried out on an estimated 200 million girls and women around the world; and

Whereas, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that approximately 513,000 women and girls in the United States were at risk for FGM or its consequences in 2012; and

Whereas, FGM is mostly carried out on young girls sometime between infancy and 15 years of age; and

Whereas, 44 million of those who have been subjected to FGM are girls who are 14 years of age or younger; and

Whereas, FGM can cause severe bleeding and health issues, including cysts, infections, infertility, complications in childbirth and increased risk of newborn deaths; and

Whereas, FGM is a violation of the human rights of girls and women; and

Whereas, in 2012, the United Nations General Assembly designated February 6th as the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation with the purpose of enhancing awareness and accelerating the abandonment of FGM.

Wherefore your memorialist, the House of Representatives of the State of Arizona, the Senate concurring, prays:

      1.  That the United States Congress formally recognize February 6th as the Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation.

      2.  That the Secretary of State of the State of Arizona transmit a copy of this Memorial to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives and each Member of Congress from the State of Arizona.