Female mutilation : a global journey behind the curtains of the horrifying worldwide practice of female genital mutilation / Hilary Burrage.

"The number of girls and women affected around the world are staggering. Death is not an uncommon outcome. Female genital mutilation (FGM) is the partial or complete removal of the external female genitals for cultural rather than medical or religious reasons -- its origin is unknown. Practitioners believe the procedure enhances the girl's health, hygiene, chastity, fertility and marriage prospects -- the truth is it obliterates sexual pleasure, causes severe health problems and is sometimes fatal. This book covers this controversial cultural practice that is taking place around the world including Western countries where it is illegal. Read the harrowing stories of women who have been genitally mutilated, their accounts of survival and their determination to end this injustice."--Back cover.