The mutilation of female genitalia — a custom in some cultures in other countries — may soon be outlawed in Iowa. The State Senate passed a bill outlawing the practice, which Senator Nancy Boettger of Harlan calls barbaric. Boettger says female genital mutilation is common in Africa, and in some Middle Eastern countries. She says it’s difficult to tell, but she doesn’t think that it happens very much in Iowa.Those found guilty of performing what’s sometimes called female castration could be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison and fined up to 10-thousand dollars. The bill now goes to the House for consideration.
