I feel that it's important to make it known that this anti-women practice is unfortunately not confined to one culture or religion. FGM really came across New Zealand's radar in the early 1990s when we experienced a growing number of refugees and immigrants. The practice was made illegal in 1996. Let me make it clear: it's against the law even if a girl or woman says she wants it done. It's against our law, including arranging for a child to be sent outside of our borders to have it done. This stance against female genital mutilation is greater than the individual; it is our free society in New Zealand which categorically says no to this practice. However, since 1996, we've come to learn more about the practice and the loopholes in the law, and that's why we're here today, to do our utmost to close those loopholes and spare any more girls from being put through this torture.