Bill 118 HR 9874, also known as the Childhood Genital Mutilation Prevention Act, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress with the aim of preventing the practice of genital mutilation on children. The bill specifically targets the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM), which is a harmful and often illegal procedure that involves the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia.
The bill outlines several key provisions, including the criminalization of FGM on minors, the establishment of penalties for those who perform or facilitate the procedure, and the creation of educational programs to raise awareness about the dangers and illegality of FGM. Additionally, the bill calls for the training of healthcare professionals to recognize and report cases of FGM, as well as the provision of support services for victims of the practice.
Overall, the Childhood Genital Mutilation Prevention Act seeks to protect children from the physical and psychological harm caused by FGM, and to hold accountable those who perpetrate this harmful practice. The bill has garnered bipartisan support in Congress and is seen as an important step towards ending the practice of FGM in the United States.