Enrolled February 06, 2017 Passed IN Senate February 06, 2017 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20172018 REGULAR SESSION Senate Resolution No. 17Introduced by Senator AtkinsFebruary 02, 2017 Relative to Female Genital Mutilation and Cutting Awareness Day LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTSR 17, Atkins. Digest KeyBill TextWHEREAS, Since 2012, the United Nations General Assembly has recognized International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation on February 6, and has the largest global program to accelerate abandonment of its practice and to provide care for its consequences; andWHEREAS, Female Genital Mutilation and Cutting (FGM/C) comprises all procedures that involve altering or injuring the female genitalia for nonmedical reasons and is recognized internationally as a violation of the human rights of girls and women; andWHEREAS, The procedure severely affects women and girls, causing them considerable pain and suffering and, in some cases, threatens their lives; andWHEREAS, The procedure can cause recurring infections, increase the risk of complications in childbirth, and, in the most extreme form, may create a need for later surgeries to allow for sexual intercourse and childbirth; andWHEREAS, FGM/C violates basic human rights by depriving women and girls of their physical and mental integrity, their right to freedom from violence and discrimination, and in the most extreme cases, their lives; andWHEREAS, Since 1996, cutting a girls genitals for nonmedical reasons has been illegal under federal law, but nearly 507,000 women and girls in the United States could be at risk of FGM/C; andWHEREAS, In some regions of the world the practice is seen as an important coming-of-age ritual that ensures a womans purity, can be a requirement for her to marry, and is a practice that sometimes continues after immigrating and assimilating into American society; andWHEREAS, Due to an increase in immigration from countries where the practice of FGM/C is common, California has the largest population of women and girls at risk of FGM/C; now, therefore, be itResolved by the Senate of the State of California, That the Senate recognizes February 6, 2017, as Female Genital Mutilation and Cutting Awareness Day in California and urges individuals, community members, medical practitioners, and institutions to observe this day with appropriate notice so that Californians may achieve a better understanding, to ensure U.S. laws are enforced, and so that the affected women and girls receive the care and support they need; and be it furtherResolved,That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
Enrolled February 06, 2017 Passed IN Senate February 06, 2017 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20172018 REGULAR SESSION Senate Resolution No. 17Introduced by Senator AtkinsFebruary 02, 2017 Relative to Female Genital Mutilation and Cutting Awareness Day LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTSR 17, Atkins. Digest Key
Enrolled February 06, 2017 Passed IN Senate February 06, 2017
Enrolled February 06, 2017
Passed IN Senate February 06, 2017
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20172018 REGULAR SESSION
Senate Resolution No. 17
Introduced by Senator AtkinsFebruary 02, 2017
Introduced by Senator Atkins
February 02, 2017
Relative to Female Genital Mutilation and Cutting Awareness Day
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SR 17, Atkins.
## Digest Key
## Bill Text
WHEREAS, Since 2012, the United Nations General Assembly has recognized International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation on February 6, and has the largest global program to accelerate abandonment of its practice and to provide care for its consequences; and
WHEREAS, Female Genital Mutilation and Cutting (FGM/C) comprises all procedures that involve altering or injuring the female genitalia for nonmedical reasons and is recognized internationally as a violation of the human rights of girls and women; and
WHEREAS, The procedure severely affects women and girls, causing them considerable pain and suffering and, in some cases, threatens their lives; and
WHEREAS, The procedure can cause recurring infections, increase the risk of complications in childbirth, and, in the most extreme form, may create a need for later surgeries to allow for sexual intercourse and childbirth; and
WHEREAS, FGM/C violates basic human rights by depriving women and girls of their physical and mental integrity, their right to freedom from violence and discrimination, and in the most extreme cases, their lives; and
WHEREAS, Since 1996, cutting a girls genitals for nonmedical reasons has been illegal under federal law, but nearly 507,000 women and girls in the United States could be at risk of FGM/C; and
WHEREAS, In some regions of the world the practice is seen as an important coming-of-age ritual that ensures a womans purity, can be a requirement for her to marry, and is a practice that sometimes continues after immigrating and assimilating into American society; and
WHEREAS, Due to an increase in immigration from countries where the practice of FGM/C is common, California has the largest population of women and girls at risk of FGM/C; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, That the Senate recognizes February 6, 2017, as Female Genital Mutilation and Cutting Awareness Day in California and urges individuals, community members, medical practitioners, and institutions to observe this day with appropriate notice so that Californians may achieve a better understanding, to ensure U.S. laws are enforced, and so that the affected women and girls receive the care and support they need; and be it further
Resolved,That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.