Australia: "Gillard Government to act on Female Genital Mutilation in Australia"

Link here. Excerpt:

'It is often performed on girls under the age of ten. It is a violation of the human rights of women and girls and there is no place for it here in Australia. Its occurrence in this country cannot be excused by culture.

The Gillard Government today announced it would immediately implement the following measures:

• Provide $500,000 in grants to fund organisations to run education and awareness activities and support change within communities, as we know public education and awareness is key to change.

• New research and data collection on female genital mutilation will be undertaken as a priority. This will help us build the evidence needed to support women and girls affected by female genital mutilation.

• Minister Plibersek will hold a national summit on this subject early next year, bringing together community, health, legal and policing experts to discuss how we can increase awareness and support and reduce incidence in Australia.

• The Attorney-General will review the current legal framework in Australia, and provide advice on whether any changes are required to ensure full protection against female genital mutilation, at home or abroad.
...
We do not know how widespread this practice is in Australia but we know there have been instances, and anecdotal evidence suggests these are not isolated.

One such procedure performed in this country is one too many. One girl taken overseas to have it done is one too many.'