FGM is distinguished (beyond the forms in which it occurs) in that there are no medical reasons for doing it, nor does it have any health benefits for women
if anti-FGM campaigners and organizations such as the WHO continue to play the “no health benefits” card as a way of deflecting comparisons to male circumcision, it will not be long before medically-trained supporters of the practice in other countries begin to do the necessary research. …
I suggest, therefore, that by repeating the mantra—in nearly every article focused on female genital cutting—that “FGM has no health benefits,” those who oppose such cutting are sending the wrong signal. The mantra implies that if FGM did have health benefits, it wouldn’t be so bad after all.
But that isn’t what opponents really think. Regardless of health consequences, they see nontherapeutic genital cutting of female minors as contrary to their best interests, propped up by questionable social norms that should themselves be challenged and changed.
I do not think that the argument of “no health benefits” is used in contrast to male genital mutilation, since it is known that the benefits are small and still today in many countries it is done without the person’s permission, breaking their right to bodily autonomy as happens with neonatal circumcision.
Also today in many societies and cultures, male genital mutilation is given apart to the medical and health system, which influences an increase in infections and problems related to sexual health.
But I agree that repeating that mantra in a decontextualised way is harmful. The way in which I have tried to use it is to contrast it with the mutilations of intersex people, who are operated on these days in medical centres under the idea and dogma “it is for their health” when really that is a lie, there are not benefits in it.
A small aside on this, which I found interesting:
I do not think that the argument of “no health benefits” is used in contrast to male genital mutilation, since it is known that the benefits are small and still today in many countries it is done without the person’s permission, breaking their right to bodily autonomy as happens with neonatal circumcision.
Also today in many societies and cultures, male genital mutilation is given apart to the medical and health system, which influences an increase in infections and problems related to sexual health.
But I agree that repeating that mantra in a decontextualised way is harmful. The way in which I have tried to use it is to contrast it with the mutilations of intersex people, who are operated on these days in medical centres under the idea and dogma “it is for their health” when really that is a lie, there are not benefits in it.