That concludes Holyrood Live's coverage of the Scottish Parliament on 10 February 2016.

Image source, Scottish Parliament

Have a peaceful evening.

Mr Biagi says what is terrifying in some places FGM is not even recognised as a practice.

It seems to be just a natural part of the growing up process, which presents a very deep challenge to overcome he says.

Image source, UNICEF

The minister stresses the importance of partnership and sensitivity in tackling FGM. 

The government is looking at the provision in relation to FGM in England and Wales and has engaged a community organisation to consult on this.

This is a child protection issue and the government must support the agencies, charities and champions who are trying to end FGM, he says.

Community Empowerment Minister Marco Biagi says there was a need to produce an action plan on FGM.

This debate is a testimony to all who work here and abroad to highlight the need to end FGM, he says.

The minister says "This is a from of structural gender violence."

It is not tied to religion, although there are those who wrongly try to make out that is so. 

SNP MSP Christian Allard says people should use female genital mutilation in full, rather than FGM, as it does what it says.

Mr Allard adds that men must not be excluded from this issue but seen as part of the solution to end this practice.

Independent MSP John Finnie says he looks forward to the day when society reflects on this abhorrent practice in disgust. 

Mr Finnie says this significant breach of trust must be dealt with and support must be given throughout the country.

This is about power and an abusive relationship, he says.

The Independent MSP says it was very humbling to meet the survivors and closes by saying all should unite to tackle FGM. 

SNP MSP John Mason says some witnesses told the Equal Opportunities Committee that cutting was going on in Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Far more common, he says, was the girl being taken back to the country of their roots.

The action plan sets out the objectives, actions and responsibilities required to drive and deliver change. 

These have been informed by research, experience of other countries, engagement with partners in all sectors and the experiences of communities, service providers and those who have been or are at risk.

Image source, Scotland's National Action Plan to Prevent and Eradicate FGM

The plan sets out an agreed range of actions and associated activities to be taken forward by Scottish Government and its partners to prevent and ultimately eradicate FGM.

It also identifies any gaps in our knowledge and makes recommendations on how we can close them by working collaboratively across a wide range of interests and policy areas to develop best possible outcomes.

Conservative MSP Annabelle Goldie says women and young girls are sometimes too ashamed to speak out about their ordeals.

Ms Goldie says female circumcision is carried out using various instruments and victims are often too young to defend themselves.

One woman is cut every 96 minutes in the UK she says.

The Conservative MSP says the individuals carrying out FGM are often trusted to the victim and not someone they would expect to inflict harm.

Ms Goldie says women are devalued by it and lose a sense of identity.

She concludes saying lets act to end this barbaric practice for women in the future.  

Key Facts:

• Globally, it is estimated that at least 200 million girls and women alive today have undergone some form of FGM.
• If current trends continue, 15 million additional girls between ages 15 and 19 be subjected to it by 2030.
• Girls 14 and younger represent 44 million of those who have been cut, with the highest prevalence of FGM among this age in Gambia at 56 per cent, Mauritania 54 per cent and Indonesia where around half of girls aged 11 and younger have undergone the practice.

Image source, Getty images

• Countries with the highest prevalence among girls and women aged 15 to 49 are Somalia 98 per cent, Guinea 97 per cent and Djibouti 93 per cent.
• FGM is mostly carried out on young girls sometime between infancy and age 15.
• FGM cause severe bleeding and health issues including cysts, infections, infertility as well as complications in childbirth increased risk of newborn deaths.
• FGM is a violation of the human rights of girls and women.

Source: United Nations

Female genital mutilation (FGM) comprises all procedures that involve altering or injuring the female genitalia for non-medical reasons, external and is recognised internationally as a violation of the human rights of girls and women.  

Image source, UN/Sheila McKinnon

Labour MSP Malcolm Chisholm says: "FGM impinges on the basic human rights and health off women and girls around the world."

Mr Chisholm says any Scottish action plan must take a consultative approach, engaging with knowledgeable charities.

SNP MSP Kenneth Gibson says he is "shocked and horrified" FGM is still carried out around the globe. 

Image source, bbc

Mr Gibson lists the impact of FGM including causing death.

He says FGM is a sign of deep rooted inequality.

Ms McCulloch says this generation can and must end FGM. 

The Scottish government considers Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) to be an unacceptable and illegal practice, a form of child abuse, external, violence against women, and a violation of the human rights of women and girls.  

Ms McCulloch says none of the forms of FGM have health benefits, they only serve to harm.

3m women and girls are cut every year, it must stop, she says.

She refers to the Scottish government's action plan on FGM.

Ms McCulloch says: "There is no medical justification for FGM nor does it have any place in religion."

It is cultural, rooted in a patriarchy, she says.

The first minister has announced nearly £220,000 of funding to prevent female genital mutilation (FGM) in Scotland.

Image source, DARF

The money, which will go to charities who work in this area, will be used to raise awareness and help those affected. 

There are 3,000 girls in Scotland born of mothers who come from FGM-practicing countries. 

Scottish Labour MSP Margaret McCulloch says there has been a renewed focus and welcome progress on the elimination of FGM, an appalling discrimination.

Ms McCulloch says the International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM was a day for reflection and most importantly a day for action, to say "No More".

FGM is an extreme form of gender based discrimination.

Ms McCulloch welcomes a growing determination around the world to eliminate FGM and support victims of this form of gender-based violence. 

She notes the development of a national FGM action plan in Scotland. 

The Labour MSP says this extreme form of discrimination against women and girls should be eradicated once and for all.

Ms McCulloch uses her motion to highlight the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation. 

The Labour MSP says female genital mutilation (FGM) is recognised internationally as a violation of the human rights of women and girls, in which their genitals are injured or altered for non-medical reasons. 

She says an estimated 140million women and girls alive today have undergone some form of FGM.