Shawna, I agree with you, that the practices of female circumcision and mutilation should be outlawed worldwide. Unfortunately, in some parts of the world it is so imbedded in the culture, that it will be very hard to stamp out. Kudo's to those who are working on doing so, however. The book you recommend is full of lots of excellent information. Mr. Belmont has done a fine job with it, and I applaud his efforts.