To understand the seriousness of the mutilations, I personally consider that we must focus on the reason that leads to them. Are you religious? Is it cultural? Is it a medical reason? and so on.
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. In particular, quite the opposite, since it leads to numerous problems such as infections, complications in childbirth and in sexual relations, and more (1). It is also given for a cultural reason, not only is it “socially accepted” in their society and therefore the norm to follow but also ideas and beliefs of femininity associated with it. For example, it is considered that a genitally mutilated woman has an easier time finding a husband and will remain pure until marriage (2). There is also the fact that in some of these cultures and societies the clitoris is considered a male organ or non-feminine, therefore it is essential for women to have it removed for their own good. The reason for the existence of this mutilation is purely a product of the existence of gender, or what in social sciences is also called the sex-gender system (3)
Mutilation is understood as a violent act itself and we tend to talk about female genital mutilation, and in cases like Question Mark bring up male genital mutilation. But we leave aside the mutilations of intersex people, genital mutilations without any consent carried out legally and that do not have any benefit in terms of health for the person to whom it is done (4.1, 4.2). This kind of mutilation is also the result of the previously mentioned sex-gender system. Specifically, it is its application in our society and culture (5). Understanding these three apparently so different forms of mutilation as a product of the same thing is necessary in terms of understanding their motives and giving them an effective solution.
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.
I would like to state some points to clarify:
To understand the seriousness of the mutilations, I personally consider that we must focus on the reason that leads to them. Are you religious? Is it cultural? Is it a medical reason? and so on.
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. In particular, quite the opposite, since it leads to numerous problems such as infections, complications in childbirth and in sexual relations, and more (1). It is also given for a cultural reason, not only is it “socially accepted” in their society and therefore the norm to follow but also ideas and beliefs of femininity associated with it. For example, it is considered that a genitally mutilated woman has an easier time finding a husband and will remain pure until marriage (2). There is also the fact that in some of these cultures and societies the clitoris is considered a male organ or non-feminine, therefore it is essential for women to have it removed for their own good. The reason for the existence of this mutilation is purely a product of the existence of gender, or what in social sciences is also called the sex-gender system (3)
Mutilation is understood as a violent act itself and we tend to talk about female genital mutilation, and in cases like Question Mark bring up male genital mutilation. But we leave aside the mutilations of intersex people, genital mutilations without any consent carried out legally and that do not have any benefit in terms of health for the person to whom it is done (4.1, 4.2). This kind of mutilation is also the result of the previously mentioned sex-gender system. Specifically, it is its application in our society and culture (5). Understanding these three apparently so different forms of mutilation as a product of the same thing is necessary in terms of understanding their motives and giving them an effective solution.
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.